Posted: 9/13/2011 10:32:58 AM EDT
| How many of you have actually had to use your BOB or GHB in a real situation? I am not talking about taking it out for the weekend and trying it out. I would like to hear some of your experiences where you found yourself in a situation where your bag is all you had. What were some things you wished you had in your bag? What were some things you really didn't need? Anything information would be appreciated. I am beginning to accumulate some items to fix up a bag for me and also one for my wife. We both have long commutes to work and I would hate for one of us to get caught without some supplies. |
|
I've had to use items in my GHB several times "for real'.
I pulled the first aid kit and extra knives when a woman in a convertable crashed (the knives were to help remove the top so we could get to her). Didn't matter though she didn't survive impact  .
My wife and I were on a trip to Williamsburg many years ago when a major storm blew through cutting power and felling trees (so we couldn't just drive home). Our motel room lacked lights and any decent windows (funky early 60's "Modernistic" constructon). I pulled the lights and cylume sticks so we would have light for showering. I've used other stuff in less 'critical' situations - pulled the blanket a few times, I've used the spare shirt several times, and the full change of clothes at least twice. First aid kit is used enough that it's a separate package attached to the pack. I've even loaned my spare M65 that is in the pack to my son when he forgot to pack his when camping. |
|
I had to use mine twice in college. I was pretty poor, had an old blue camping backpack for my bag. First time I had just started 'prepping', and I had very little in my bag. Winter, 2001/2002, I didn't have a car, so I borrowed my uncle's Ford Explorer so I could go home from college for winter break. News was expecting heavy blizzarding conditions at an undetermined time in the next week (MN Weather Guessers are never right or accurate). So I unloaded my camping stuff, I didn't have any good snow boots at the time, but I had my shoes, some old WWII Canvas Gaiters, a fleece blanket, extra gloves, hat, scarf, and I swapped out some gear to be more 'car emergency' oriented. I had a pack of beef jerky, single gatorade packets, half dozen tea candles, a metal saucer/tray, matches, lighter, canteen cup, esbit/triox type 'stove' (with no fuel), a packet of Ramen, and a few bottles of water. I had a little entrenching shovel too. Drive home was uneventful, had a nice Christmas Holiday, and enjoyed time with family. When I was supposed to drive back up to school - that's when the Blizzard finally hit. Temps were about 5 Degrees F, strong cross winds from the NW at 35+ mph with gusts over 50 MPH. When I left there was about 500' visibility - not bad, and you can keep traveling so long as you go slow and can see the road. It's 10 PM, dark as heck outside, snowing, I drove up out of the valley where my family lived, and headed out across the open plains. Up there, the wind and snow quickly got worse. Visibility went down to about 150 feet or so! I was going along at about 25 mph, and up ahead I saw brake lights turn on - then nothing. I kept going, and not more than a 1/4 mile down the road I slowed to 20 mph, caught a cross-wind and a HUUUGE patch of solid ice, and the tail end swung around. Stuck down in the ditch, in about 3.5 to 4 feet of snow! I sat in the ditch, restarted the engine, put on the gaiters, coat, gloves/hat, and went out to check things. The blizzard turned into white-out conditions. Couldn't see a damn thing 15 feet around me! I dug out the exhaust muffler so I don't kill myself, crawled back inside, put the metal tray on the dash board, lit a few tea candles (placed on the tray), and cracked the window. I sat inside wrapped in the blanket, waiting things out. Was in the ditch about 75 minutes kept hearing trucks and SUV's zooming by down the road, the occasional screeching, a few cracks/bangs, but couldn't see shit around me - couldn't even see the cars going by about 25 or 30 feet off my bumper! Wind drifted snow in over the exhaust so I had to shut off the engine and use backup heat (candles). I was in good shape - put out the esbit 'stove' with a couple candles under it. Put the canteen cup on top, the bottled water was frozen solid, but a few hard whacks with the back edge of my chi-com KaBar knock-off shattered the ice, then I cut the plastic bottle open and dumped ice into the canteen cup to melt it. Threw in a gatorade packet, popped open the beef jerky, etc. The snow let up, and I got about 300 feet visibility, and saw there were 6 other vehicles - trucks & SUV's, and 1 car all stuck in the ditch around me for about 1/3rd of a mile stretch of 169! I got out, and went to go talk with two girls that were stuck in the car, but for some reason walking around in DRESS CLOTHES. Just as I was talking with them, a white SUV flies down the road about 65mph (LOOK AT ME, I GOT 4WD!!! I'm IMMUNE TO ICE!)... They hit the same patch of glare ice at full speed, turned sideways on the ice, and when they hit CLEAR pavement, it was like the rug pulled out under them - and they rolled a good FIVE full turns, and landed upside-down in the ditch about 300 feet away. A spectacular wreck, and I honestly thought they might be dead! I trampled through the snow to their SUV, they were all okay, beaten and bruised from presents, packages, and bags that flew around & smacked into them, and hitting their heads off things. But otherwise for bruises & scratches they were okay. I dug out around the window, they crawled out, and we went back to my uncle's explorer. Sat in the heat for ~20 minutes. We took turns drinking warm gatorade, and eating beef jerky. Then one of the dumb women in the back asked me, "Do you always keep tea candles in your SUV? Why did you have them?"  They provide heat, can melt frozen water, they store nicely, they light easily, and a few candles and a lightly cracked window provides good warmth and ventilation. Thankfully the State Patrol arrived, and then the 5 rollover-sheeple all went to talk with him - and then tried cramming into his cramped car for warmth.  State Trooper called in several tow trucks, they took 60 minutes to arrive... Winched a few SUV's and Trucks out of the ditch, they drove off on their merry way, and it took them about another 45 minutes to get around to winching me out. Driver said $200 credit card, or $75 Cash. I paid cash - cash is King.  I was on the road and headed back to school 15 minutes later... A total of about 215 minutes, or about 3.5 hours stuck in the ditch in near-zero weather, where potential for frostbite is moderately high - especially if you factor in the high winds. I learned a lot from that first use - and rebuilt my BoB, it became more of a camping bag after that with a -10 deg F rated sleeping bag, same fleece blanket, a wool blanket, hats, gloves, etc. I got paranoid since I moved into a new college apartment, and we had frequent fire alarms - so I put out clothes, boots, and handgun next to the bed. All I could afford was a Bersa 380 at the time. Had the BoB by the door with my coat, hat, & gloves. Again, it's winter time, I'm the only person that actually LEAVES the building when there's a fire alarm - false alarms from drunk kids is the norm... About 3 AM the alarm goes off - I quick dress, grab BoB, throw on coat, and head out. WHOA! Smoke in the hallway - that's unusual! I went out front, and I'm there all by myself for at least 5 more minutes. Then people start RUSHING out the building - smoke is coming out the windows and doors, and people in Pajammas and Underwear come FLYING out the door! One dude is barefoot and only wearing red boxers runs outside, jumps in his car, and starts it up - he's obviously freezing while waiting ~5-10 minutes for his car to warm up. I opened the bag, gave wool socks to the people standing out on the icy sidewalk barefoot, three little groups/pairs of people huddled while wrapped up in my sleeping bag, my fleece blanket, and my wool blanket. One girl wearing my extra hat & gloves. Again with the stupid questions - "Thanks for the blankets - do you always have a backpack full of this stuff or something?" They're so unprepared they don't even decide what clothes they'll wear the next day until that day comes - and not until AFTER they were supposed to HAVE LEFT 10 minutes earlier! They don't even THINK to put on clothes or have warm clothes by their door so they can access them quickly. three fire trucks showed up, put out the fire, and told everybody they'll have to go find someplace else to live for a few days until the building is habitable again. Said to go inside and get some stuff out. I went back in, and went back to sleep in my -10 deg rated sleeping bag. I stayed in the building with no working furnace for 3 days, and I was just fine. Temps in MY specific unit never got below ~45 to 50 degrees. After first day I had ice-cold running water - 2nd day no water at all, new furnace started up on the 3rd day, and we had running water again on the morning of the 4th day. A frozen pipe in the sub-basement burst, sprayed water across the floor in the laundry room, under a utility door, and hit an electrical panel of some kind. Wiring was apparently not up to code, sparked, and lit some stuff on fire in the utility room downstairs, and the fire spread to the laundry room. Fire couldn't go any further since it was contained by concrete - but it smoked up the building, killed electricity, and heat for 3 days, and water for 2. I had a natural gas stove, candles for additional warmth & lighting, flashlight & battery powered lantern, 2 bulk 32 bottle packs of water from Sams Club, and a bunch of ramen that Death451 gave me (he felt pity for my sorry broke ass)! I enjoyed some Swiss Miss hot coacoa packets I got from my part-time job's employee lounge. I also had some packages of cheap-disgusting-hotdogs. I practically lived off Ramen, Hot Dogs, PastaRoni, Cereal, and 1-a-day vitamins for years in college. My bug out bag, and preps made some bad situations a mere inconvenience - and YES, I smelled after that 3rd day without a shower - but I didn't care. |
|
I keep a bag in my pickup's toolbox and had to use it once (3 years ago), when hurricane IKE hit the Houston area.
I went to help a friend move into her new apartment - my plan was to get her moved, and get back to Dallas. I got her moved but ended up in the hospital overnight due to a pancreatic problem I have, and when i got out it was too late to leave the area as the roads were jammed and the storm about to hit. Since my friend was on the North side of Houston she did not expect to lose water or power - but she did, and so did everyone else in the area. She had done NO prep for the storm and as she had just moved, didn't have everything a person would normally have. She, her 2 kids, her mother, and myself practically LIVED out of my 'bug out bag' for the next 6 days. No idea what the news is? Here's a wind-up am/fm/shortwave radio. No light? Here are emergency candles, flashlights and extra batteries. Kids scared? Here are a few glow sticks. No water? I had brought a case of water and had water purification stuff. No coffee or hot food? Here is a camp stove & fuel. Out of toilet paper? Here's a roll and some wet wipes. No entertainment? Here's a deck of cards. Kid just cut their hand? Here's a first aid kit. Worried because there are a lot of reports of looting getting out of hand nearby and a mini-riot because gov't help wasn't arriving? Defensive gear just in case. She had made fun of me a little about the backpack and my 'preparedness' mindset before the hurricane, but she and her mother were singing it's praises by the end of it all. |
|
I have two bags that are with me nearly 24/7, my briefcase (aka EDC bag) and first-aid kit, and a third GHB that's usually nearby (car.)
I've lost track of how many times I've used the first-aid kit, mostly on other people. By far the most common injuries are small cuts and insect stings. This anesthetic called "sting kill" has gotten me more "thank yous" from people than anything else I've carried, with ibuprofen a close second. Lots of EDC items have been used as well, leatherman tool, duct tape, and flashlights. The GHB has been used as an accidental "Away from Home Bag" several times, mostly due to bad weather/thunderstorms flooding the roads and making it nearly impossible to travel back home –– but strangely enough, there's almost always a place to stay available (friends, etc.) Then there's been a few times where I was asked to spend the night without prior notice.  . Both have happened enough that my bag evolved, with my adding pajama equivalents (which double as extra clothing/cold weather gear, like microfleece sweatpants), as well as basic toiletries (floss, toothbrush, etc., plus condoms in case it's an unplanned sleepover, and oddly needing nail clippers came up enough that I've packed those, too.) I've always kept a few energy bars, and now Bridgeford ready-to-eat sandwiches in the GHB as well, and they've been important for providing food for others when something has come up and prevented eating –– trust me, it cuts down on the crankiness and bad scenes a lot when you can hand a woman and/or her kids a chocolate hoo-ah bar when they've not eaten for 10 hours. In many instances MREs aren't practical as they're messy (wet) and you can't stop/start eating them easily, where as an energy bar you can eat half, wrap it up, and eat the other half later or share it.
I have items I haven't used and hope not too, like OLAES bandages. I've never needed a water filter, so that's probably the biggest weight item I have that I haven't used. The weirder items are a micro-screwdriver, a USB A-mini-B (and now micro-B) cable, since that lets you charge quite a few phones, and a little USB AA battery charger/power supply that holds 4 eneloop AAs. This lets me always have batteries for the flashlights, keep my cell charged, and charge other's cellphones; it's been surprisingly useful particularly on trips. The tiny screwdriver is most often used to repair "whatever." For what it's worth, I've set a few friends up with very basic bags, which include a Eton FR-160 radio/flashlight that's powered by crank or solar, and recently had feedback that this was the most-used item in the bag during extended power outages from the last hurricane. In a nutshell: pain killers, pajamas, food, flashlight, and a radio.  Think "slumber party from hell" and you're 90% of the way there in my experience.
|
| Ive used my daily bag many many times when it was needed. I dont call it a bob or a ghb. Its more of a jack of all trades master of none. It changes based on what we are doing I find it 10x more useful to have things that are useful often than crap I will almost never use. My work keeps me in town. The farthest I ever get from home while working is about 12 miles (driving) and none of it is wilderness. Clearly what I keep in it would be very different from traveling up to the mountains at night in the winter. etc |
|
I use my GHB all the time on business travel. The snivel kit is indispensable and the thing I reload the most; alka seltzer, allergy meds, flu meds, etc. Cook some nice little meals with my immersion heater and metal cup. Brew coffee in my nalgene with filter. Tac light used constantly and goes on bedside table. I've practiced setting my trip alarms but not used for real. Sleep in my woobie to avoid the dna laden bedlinens (goes in plastic bag and washed between trips). Always using my various chargers and things too. And I know the other stuff I have will help me get home from almost anywhere in CONUS. Read this thread to get a grip on what to 'really' pack: http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_10_17/594775_My_cross_country_GHB.html One of the best threads on the internet on GHBs.
|
|
I needed my GHB one night but never used it. Had an extended cab Toyota pickup with my GHB in the back of the cab. Middle of January, driving down a dirt road @ 1am and a deer comes from an elevated area and hits the back wheel of my truck which is enough to break the back tires loose and send my truck sliding sideways toward the ditch. I tried to correct but I was already almost completely sideways. Front wheels hit the grassy area on the side of road and a tumbling I went. First time over my back window popped out and somewhere along the way my GHB was thrown from the truck along with my cell phone, flashlight & first aid kit. I think I rolled 4 times but I can't be certain as it happened so fast and I was being tossed all over (no seatbelt). Anyway, when the truck settled I could taste blood and couldn't feel my left leg which is a common occurrence with me due to a severe back injury years before so I wasn't sure if I was bashed up bad or not. Luckily I was already wearing my Carhart bibs & coat so I wasn't going to freeze to death but I couldn't find my cane either. So there I was, in the complete dark, below freezing temps & with one good leg and the truck wouldn't start. Somehow a single, steel fence post wasn't thrown from the back of my truck so I used that as a walking stick to hoof it 2.5 miles to the nearest house where I got help. Turns out I just had a cut lip, a busted rib & bruised up pretty bad.
Never did find that bag, which I assume was taken by the towtruck driver and didn't want to give it back after he found cash & my revolver. So, the lesson I learned about having a GHB: Secure it inside your vehicle so it can't be thrown from your vehicle and always wear your seatbelt. Also, get a cheap ass TracFone & keep it in your bag but make sure to charge it once a week. |
|
Ronin, sucks to here about the tow truck driver taking your stuff. I drive one myself, and make sure I return everything to the rightful owners. Gave a guy his Glock back last month. OP...paracord is huge for me. Also OTC meds. Gloves and rain gear. Socks. That is my 'daily bag' though. |
|
Quoted:
I needed my GHB one night but never used it. Had an extended cab Toyota pickup with my GHB in the back of the cab. Middle of January, driving down a dirt road @ 1am and a deer comes from an elevated area and hits the back wheel of my truck which is enough to break the back tires loose and send my truck sliding sideways toward the ditch. I tried to correct but I was already almost completely sideways. Front wheels hit the grassy area on the side of road and a tumbling I went. First time over my back window popped out and somewhere along the way my GHB was thrown from the truck along with my cell phone, flashlight & first aid kit. I think I rolled 4 times but I can't be certain as it happened so fast and I was being tossed all over (no seatbelt). Anyway, when the truck settled I could taste blood and couldn't feel my left leg which is a common occurrence with me due to a severe back injury years before so I wasn't sure if I was bashed up bad or not. Luckily I was already wearing my Carhart bibs & coat so I wasn't going to freeze to death but I couldn't find my cane either. So there I was, in the complete dark, below freezing temps & with one good leg and the truck wouldn't start. Somehow a single, steel fence post wasn't thrown from the back of my truck so I used that as a walking stick to hoof it 2.5 miles to the nearest house where I got help. Turns out I just had a cut lip, a busted rib & bruised up pretty bad. Never did find that bag, which I assume was taken by the towtruck driver and didn't want to give it back after he found cash & my revolver. So, the lesson I learned about having a GHB: Secure it inside your vehicle so it can't be thrown from your vehicle and always wear your seatbelt. Also, get a cheap ass TracFone & keep it in your bag but make sure to charge it once a week. whats a good way to secure a bag that also makes it easy to take out quickly and move? |
|
Quoted: Quoted: I needed my GHB one night but never used it. Had an extended cab Toyota pickup with my GHB in the back of the cab. Middle of January, driving down a dirt road @ 1am and a deer comes from an elevated area and hits the back wheel of my truck which is enough to break the back tires loose and send my truck sliding sideways toward the ditch. I tried to correct but I was already almost completely sideways. Front wheels hit the grassy area on the side of road and a tumbling I went. First time over my back window popped out and somewhere along the way my GHB was thrown from the truck along with my cell phone, flashlight & first aid kit. I think I rolled 4 times but I can't be certain as it happened so fast and I was being tossed all over (no seatbelt). Anyway, when the truck settled I could taste blood and couldn't feel my left leg which is a common occurrence with me due to a severe back injury years before so I wasn't sure if I was bashed up bad or not. Luckily I was already wearing my Carhart bibs & coat so I wasn't going to freeze to death but I couldn't find my cane either. So there I was, in the complete dark, below freezing temps & with one good leg and the truck wouldn't start. Somehow a single, steel fence post wasn't thrown from the back of my truck so I used that as a walking stick to hoof it 2.5 miles to the nearest house where I got help. Turns out I just had a cut lip, a busted rib & bruised up pretty bad. Never did find that bag, which I assume was taken by the towtruck driver and didn't want to give it back after he found cash & my revolver. So, the lesson I learned about having a GHB: Secure it inside your vehicle so it can't be thrown from your vehicle and always wear your seatbelt. Also, get a cheap ass TracFone & keep it in your bag but make sure to charge it once a week. whats a good way to secure a bag that also makes it easy to take out quickly and move? REAL carabiner. Seat belt mounts. |
|
berto - I can't be 100% certain the tow truck driver took my bag, I just assume he did. My truck was out there unattended from around 1am to 9am, so anybody could have drove past and grabbed it. I also lost my huge tow rope. anbbna - Depends on the vehicle but right now I drive an 86 Toyota 4Runner and I keep my bag in the back held down with elastic cords. I'm working on building a platform in the back with storage underneath so when I take the top off my truck all my gear is hidden and would take quite an effort to get to it without knowing how. I would say for an extended cab, put some stainless steel eye bolts through the floor (seal 'em up good) as anchor points and use some straps to keep it secured. You could also use paracord webbing and I know there are instructions on the interweb for making it. |
|
Quoted:
berto - I can't be 100% certain the tow truck driver took my bag, I just assume he did. My truck was out there unattended from around 1am to 9am, so anybody could have drove past and grabbed it. I also lost my huge tow rope. anbbna - Depends on the vehicle but right now I drive an 86 Toyota 4Runner and I keep my bag in the back held down with elastic cords. I'm working on building a platform in the back with storage underneath so when I take the top off my truck all my gear is hidden and would take quite an effort to get to it without knowing how. I would say for an extended cab, put some stainless steel eye bolts through the floor (seal 'em up good) as anchor points and use some straps to keep it secured. You could also use paracord webbing and I know there are instructions on the interweb for making it. I drive an explorer sport so I have some decent hooks in the back but I also have a liner back there (Im a scuba diver and wet gear goes back here all the time so I dont want to poke holes in the liner) Bag is too big to go in the floor in the back so that usually leaves the back seat which is no where near good enough since it rolls back and forth. |
|
In that case, I'd use 1" nylon webbing straps and plastic quick disconnect buckles and strap it to the buckled lap seatbelt. That should keep it held down well and it's just two quick buckles that can be undone with one hand to get it free. Looking at $5 or less.
*edit* You could use 1 in the middle or 1 on each end, go all the way round the bag. Also take them with you as you could use 'em and they don't weigh anything. */edit* |
|
Use my bag saturday night. I was out camping with the Scouts and we had an unexpected rain break out and soak the sweat shirt I was wearing for warmth. I never dried and when the sun went down it was getting cold - so I pulled out an M65 from the GHB and was comfortable the rest of the weekend.
|
|
stuck in a motel six...i mean shit outside Macon Ga back around 06ish. tornado came through. With my sister and BIL who live in DC...lights out,nothing both freakingout. I always have my GHB in it. Out came the flash light, 2m HT to monitor the weather band..... i then went out to the truck to rescue to cooler of beer i had bought the night before and made it back just in time before i got thirsty.,. |
|
These are great anecdotes. One thing about people (sheeple) reacting strangely about your preps, they are not really making fun of you. The "do you ALWAYS carry around xx..." reaction comes from their sense of guilt that they are not as prepared as you. It's a normal psychological reaction to being presented with a situation that shows how vulnerable they are. It's not rational but isn't unusual. Take it as a compliment because you are creating a "teaching moment" for these people that often turns them into preppers themselves. |
|
I live in the middle of no where. My main bug out bag when i first started it when i was 16 consisted of four main things:
My Ka-Bar (almost looked like a kurki <SPELLCHECK>) Parachord (OD Green) Flint or magnesium striker Gerber multi-tool(when they were made in the USA) I figured with those three items i could survive in a bad situation at any moment. By the time i had my truck i added other items Nalgene (proved awesome when i went to boundry waters sence many water purifers fit in a standard nalgene) Wool blanket ( Wool keeps warmer even if wet) Newspaper in a bag (no explaination needed) Small Tarp (prefrence color brown) metal GI cup When i hit 21 i added Ruger Security Six (.357 Mag) Holster Webelt Box of 158 gr FP Yes this is kind of cluster f of stuff but in relaity its not a whole lot. Every area in the US is different. The main reason i have these items is because i would be able to sustain myself if something were to happen car accident in the middle of no where, China invades, whatever. In my neck of the woods it covers as much stuff as possible without bringing your house. Next on my list is a katadyn or a sawyer filtration system |
|
the GHN in my truck gets used for all kinds of mundane stuff, nothing dramatic recently.
i keep it secured to the headrest ion the back seat with a 'biner. using a seatbelt would work too, i just don't want it roaming around in the cab. back on the one day i might have really needed something was during the world series quake in '89, all i had was what was in my tankbag and in the pockets of my leather jacket... included a mini mag light, spare batteries, SAK and a few small tools. a better light would have been really nice and those are easy to find now. |
| I used mine this morning. Lady in a meeting I was attending sprained her ankle. Went to the truck and grabbed the medical/boo boo bag. The Chiropractor in our group used one of the instant cold packs and some sport wrap to tape up her ankle. I REALLY wanted to secure the rig with my digicamo duct tape...thought it would have looked nice with her business casual dress |