Be Ready When Disaster Strikes If an unexpected emergency or disaster hits, are you prepared to leave your home–fast? You will be if you follow the advice in this book. This book shows you how to create a self-contained disaster preparedness kit to help you survive your journey from ground zero to a safer location. Survival expert Creek Stewart details from start to finish everything you need to gather for 72 hours of independent survival–water, food, protection, shelter, survival tools, and s
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How to Get the Most Out of B.O.B.,
How to Get the Most Out of B.O.B.
“Build the Perfect Bug Out Bag: Your 72-Hour Disaster Survival Kit” by Creek Stewart is a well-thought-out book that is clearly formatted and illustrated to help convey the information within. The format of this book reminds me of another excellent book titled “Build the Perfect Survival Kit” by John McCann, that I also highly recommend. This book is excellent for the novice and experienced Prepper, as well as the conventional camper and survivalist. This book provides an excellent blueprint for compiling components for a Bug Out Bag (BOB), as well as selecting the perfect BOB to carry all the discussed gear and components. The gear discussed in this book covers everything from field camping tools (pocket tools, ax, shovels, etc.), hygienic items, various environmental clothing, lightweight shelters (tarps, etc.), field bedding (sleeping bags, hammocks, etc.), water purification, rations and ignition systems for fire making. All the equipment discussed in this book predominantly focuses on the items being lightweight and provide multiple use items, which is a common theme when selecting items for survival situation. Additionally, this book provides a host of inset text boxes providing valuable survival tips, in addition to the information instructing you how to develop your own BOB. This book also had a few interesting chapters that stood out to me that I think are worth mentioning. Chapter 13 covers information on protection and self-defense, with some discussion of the self-defense mentality. Although this chapter was very brief it did however cover all the salient points, as this topic alone could be its own book. Another interesting chapter covered some basic information about bugging out with pets. This is a topic I have not seen covered in other books and found it enlightening. Finally, chapter 17 on mental and physical preparedness was another chapter providing the reader basic information on the topic, which is not generally covered in book of this type. I personally believe this to be one of the most important chapters in the book, without a strong body it is hard to keep a strong mind. And the mind is the most important tool the Prepper or survivalist will ever have. Overall I highly recommend this book and believe that the experienced and novice will learn something from this book.
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|GRAB and GO!! Pack for a 72 hour disaster–and don’t forget Rover!,
I already had a “bug-out” bag in my hall closet, because we get tornadoes from time to time here, as well as the odd hurricane or nor’easter. A couple of times last year, it was possible I might have to evacuate to a shelter–we had a nearby tornado, there was a big nor’easter and once, we had a pretty amazing earthquake. For one week, my emergency radio was wailing almost non-stop. So, I had put in what I thought would be good items to have (flashlight, pillow, Swiss army knife with many tools, small blanket, tasty energy bars, water bottles, soap, shampoo, meds, hard candy, underwear, jeans, socks, boots and a pack of cards and some cashola.) Ok, a good start, but why not use the advice of an expert?
The Bug Out Bag is a 72 hour emergency kit, and covers many situations my kit does not cover, so this is a good book to read, in my opinion. For example, I did have a cigarette lighter and a box of matches but the author discusses firestarting (using mag strip strike lighter, like camping emergency gear) and also PETS.
Oh!!! How many of us have pets (a third of us, including me!) so to avoid a repeat of the Katrina pet situation, you need a fold out food and water bowl and some food. I discovered our pet store locally has freeze-dried cat food that is more compact and very nutritious. Can be eaten right out of the pouch. For dogs, the author packs a mini-pack that a dog could wear (a big dog, not a Yorkie.) Big dogs eat more, so they get to tote their own chow.
The author discusses bag styles, the issues of traveling solo versus with a family, the order to pack (cooking on bottom, clothes and bedding on top) and how much of what to have for 3 days of disaster. Even more important, how to store and rotate the stock items, how to purify water (because your bottles may run out) and much more. There are tables for what to bring for how many. Oh boy! I did NOT have a tarp. What about one of those single sleeping bag shelters? Sleeping bag? What about an inflatable mat? My bag is too small for a 72 hour emergency! Good thing I read this!
By the way, this is the WEATHER RADIO I have in my livingroom, but I packed an emergency crank shortwave-am-fm-weather radio in my pack because communication is vital in an emergency and it could be much-needed distraction and entertainment.
Summary: EVERYONE needs this book. Seriously.
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|Be Prepared For The Worst – Highly Recommended,
“Build the Perfect Bug Out Bag” is a great resource for anyone interested in assembling their first “Bug Out Bag” (BOB) or for those that want to explore additional ideas for an existing BOB. A BOB is a portable emergency kit that contains everything required to keep you alive for at least 72-hours and should be customized for the owner’s specific needs. The author, Creek Stewart, is clearly an expert in the survival field and has written this practical and comprehensive guide to ensure that you are prepared if an emergency forces you to leave your house.
The book is laid out very logically, starting with Creek’s philosophy behind making a BOB, options on the selection of a backpack to suite your specific needs, and includes chapters covering specific supplies and skills arranged by subcategories, including:
“Water & Hydration” – covers transporting and an in depth look at purification options
“Food & Food Preparation” – how to determine your needs and considerations for your “Cook Kit”
“Clothing” – selection of clothing options, customized to your climate
“Shelter & Bedding” – an excellent chapter that explores sleeping options, particularly important for those that don’t have camping experience
“Fire” – perhaps the most important chapter if you find yourself having to actually rough it in the woods
“First Aid” – very good section on the selection of items for a practical first aid kit
“Hygiene” – so very important, covered nicely (but I carry much more toilet paper than recommended)
“Tools” – practical advice in an area where new preppers to go overboard
“Lighting” – required for seeing and signalling, but surprisingly does not mention “night vision” options
“Communications” – this section is about information gathering and retention of personal documents, often overlooked but very important
“Protection & Self Defense” – well thought out section on developing the right mentality and preparing to defend yourself, your loved ones, and your supplies but, as the author points out, it is important to know your local laws
“Miscellaneous Supplies” – important list of items to include in your BOB, including 550 Paracord and the always useful Duct Tape
“Bugging Out With Pets” – a good chapter covering the considerations required if you plan on bringing pets along when bugging out
“BOB Organization & Maintenance” – now that you have all of your “stuff”, it needs to be accessible and in usable condition when you need it
“Mental & Physical Preparedness” – perhaps should have been called “Practice Makes Perfect”, you need to know that you can carry your BOB and correctly use the contents, before you actually need to in an emergency
“The Bug Out Plan” – covers the need to have a plan, including where you will go and how you will get there
“Bug Out Resources and At-Home Exercises” – a very comprehensive section covering on-line resources for supplies and information, checklists (based on your skill level), ways to keep you skills current, and how to build a reasonably affordable BOB in one trip to a “Big Box” store
I am an experienced prepper and was surprised how much I got out of this book and am fairly sure there was something new or useful to me in each chapter, but especially in the “BOB Organization & Maintenance” section. Here are some additional useful items that are included in my BOB:
* Eton ARCFRX2WXR Am/fm Weather Radio Solar Noaa – includes hand crank charger for USB powered devices
* Rothco Type III Commercial Paracord – very handy, very strong, very light
* Night Owl Optics XGEN 2X Digital Night Vision Monocular – see in the dark with this inexpensive night vision device
* Special Operations Forces Medical Handbook – better to have and not need than need and not have
This book is the best of it’s kind, Highly Recommended!
CFH
Note: I was proved a copy of this book by the author, but that in no way influences my rating or comments.
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