I went on vacation recently with the family and did not even think about bringing my modest BOB.  There were several occasions that I needed something from, my banking stuff to something for the computer and it simply just wasn't there.  I feel like a complete moron because I am usually better prepared for most of my business.  

I am new to the concept of a BOB and always having one around, so I guess I just got caught up in going on vacation.  I'll have to prepare better for the next vacation.  My wife and I are going away withOUT kids for 3 days.  We both love our kids, but really need some "us" time.

Is there anything that you all can think of that I should alter in my BOB for a vacation?  I am always interested in constructive criticism (like "Remember the bag next time") and would appreciate any help.

Stay Safe,
Medic2RN

I don't really go on vacation...  If I did I'd probably leave the BOB at home if I had to take a plane.  If I was driving then I'd have it, anyway.

One thing you can do is use a service like Mozy.com and have your computer's hard drive backed up with their service.  (It's encrypted).  

It's not a perfect solution, but in a worst case scenario, you can use somebody else's computer to download files if you need them.  Or you can take a USB drive, but then you should probably encrypt it, in case you lose it.

with me always.....if I leave the house....so does ikt

WTF kind of question is that? BOB is part of the family....Never leave BOB....

I just went on vacation in the Smoky Mountains, about 4 hours from my home.  I didn't take the full BOB's, but the wife and I packed our E&E bags and the dog's pack.  While on vacation, I found an excuse to take my E&E bag with me on an excursion, an hour-long horseback ride in Cade's Cove.  The dog wears his pack every time we go for a walk already, so that wasn't anything new.

Me = without.

I don't know that I would call my set up a BOB, more like a work mobilization kit.  It stays packed/ready at all times, with typical BOB stuff (but not every usual BOB item) and some work-specific stuff.

When I go on vacation, it goes with me.  I strip out some of the work-related items and add destination/travel-specific items.  All of that, as well as a couple of changes of clothes, goes in a 5.11 Rush 72.

If I fly, which is rare, I lighten the load and switch into a smaller ruck (don't remember the brand...had it for years).  Basically, it's small enough to carry-on.  Items that won't make it through security get moved to checked, then reloaded when I get to my destination.

Last year the wife unit and I went to Hawaii.  Having only been married a few months, she wasn't really adjusted to my "be prepared" mentality.  I told her I was taking my ruck for "just in case."  She gave me crap about it.
On the flight back, she said, "you really did take that pack everywhere...and it came in handy!"  The ONE time I didn't have it with me (and OP, you being a medic like me you'll appreciate this) I sliced the crap outta my foot on some volcanic rock.  No BOB.  No IFAK.  No BOK.  No bandages, tape, anyting except a bandana (back in the car).  And I was bleeding like a stuck pig.  It was almost SHTF time for me because the wife unit was in the water and didn't know I had gotten out (so no help).  I had to cross 200 yards of volcanic slag on ONE foot in a flip-flop, leaving a blood trail (I was surprised a shark didn't follow me onto land I was bleeding so much).  I will NEVER make that mistake again!

Bottom line: you gotta tweak what (and when) you carry, everything from your EDC kit to your BOB to your third-line gear.  You can't just throw it all together the first time and expect it to work.  Hell, every time I come back from a trip I think of something different to do/pack/carry.

Envision your needs: food, clothing, shelter, water, weapons (defensive, offensive).  Figure out worst-case scenario to minor inconveniences.  Plan and pack accordingly.  A trip to Hawaii would require different gear than a trip to Alaska.  Some things are certainly the same, but many things are different.

Oh yeah...take a small notepad with you when you travel.  Use it to take notes of EVERYTHING you learn about your kit, from what you need and don't have, to what worked, to what didn't.

There's another good thread in the SF..."My cross-country GHB."  I suggest reading all of it...VERY informative.

I took the basic with me to Disney
We flew so that limited some things

I carry a minimal one every time I travel

Going on a Business trip soon
Complete BOB and EDC goes with me
I am driving
Hotel means I need lights to find Stairway to GTFO as quick as I can
Not sure on the floor or I would take enough rope for one or two floors

The BOB always goes where I go.

I go , It Goes .

So does my CCW and an AR . If its not allowed I dont go , I dont vacate to commie states.

I also flew to Vegas with my full BOB.  A Kifaru MMR, two side pockets, and an E&E.  Packed full.  It was about a 60 lb. ruck, stuffed in a sea bag, and then the sea bag was locked with a TSA-friendly lock.  It was the only way I could ensure that none of my stuff went "missing."  Before I flew home, I hiked Turtle Head Peak in Red Rock Canyon with that ruck.

The key to not forgetting the BOB is to make the BOB useful in everyday life, not just a bulky pile of stuff you’ll probably never use.  

I wouldn’t forget mine because it’s got everything I need, everything that’s most important to my everyday life. I think that’s the key to preparedness, at least for me, I don’t by much that’s “survival” only.  My BOB is only about 10-20bs; I travel light so it’s not a big deal to keep it over my shoulder.

Then again, when I vacation it’s always nature-based; so the gear is more useful and blends well with the activity.  Plus all of my vacationing in recent years has been in the form of the roadtrip.  Caring my BOB in New York or Parris would be less useful and indeed a bit odd.  

Example BOB gear for me:
Basic first aid including meds, bandages, Celox, mylar blanket and ancle brase.
2 32oz Nalgene bottles, Swiss M1 Gel Stove, Titanium pot/mug, water purification.
Leatherman Multitool, 5” fixed blade knife (if legal to carry), Glock 19 (if legal to carry)
Cell Phone with GPS, spare cell batteries, backup AA batteries, Flashlight, Digital Camera
Spare Cash, ID,  credit card
Spare socks, bandana outer layer wind/water resistant jacket, MRS packtowel
Food – Trail mix, protein bars, jerky

Its pretty much just a man-purse.
I do have a secondary BOB, a larger one with more “survival” stuff including more water food and clothing, but that one stays in the car.

How do you figure out where you can go?

in addition to an EDC-BOB, Ive got a surplus aviators kit bag that holds a complete uniform, complete plate carrier, etc.  If Im overnight, it, along with an AR, and , and DeLorme Topo Atlas and Gazetter of the state(s) im traveling throught goes into one of two 4x4 suv BOV's selected for the trip.  

Worst case scenario, I top off with water from cooler, attach radio to carrier, suit up/ruck up and make my way through the zombie hoards back to the family or protect the family if their along.

Post in hometown forums asking about laws and stay in the south lol

I always carry some version. When I travel by air, I have a modified and if possible, ship a handgun to supplement.

When traveling by car, always ready for bear!

I always bring something. If I'm traveling by car I have the full bag. The longer the trip the more I bring. If I  travel by air like last month when I went to Las Vegas I had to lighten it up a lot but I still brought enough to sustain me in an emergency.