Physical fitness was left out of the discussion. It's a good idea to train with your bugout bag, regularly. I mean strap it on and start rucking. It won't long before you start leaving the comfort items at home, or in your vehicle, because your pack weighs too much. And, after your conditioning starts to improve, get off the beaten path (the pavement), and start hiking through cover (fields and forests). In a non-permissive situation, you will not want to be on the highway to hell. Bushwacking will be the safer way to travel. Have something waterproof and inflatable in your pack for river crossings, the bridges will be choke points. My winter get home bag is 25 lbs., and I'm trying to get it down to 20 lbs. Am I going to be comfortable with such a minimalist pack? No, but I can survive. Travel light, freeze at night.
@@JeepCherokeeful well it’s good for all of us to start working on better fitness for any reason for what you can with out putting yourself at to much risk though health wise. Start doing something and a little more each or every other day. No need to criticize but to encourage each other. Many aren’t in there 20’s or 30’s anymore. Some aren’t even in their 40’s any more but all want to survive as you do. Things like this gives us reason to start living better. Eating better and some kind of physical fitness but striving for much better fitness.
Yeah, look at the trails refugees use, it's littered with stuff that they found too heavy. And also 2 = 1, 1=0, shouldn't be for everything, just the essentials.
I’m just glad his wife is on board with putting one together and carrying it too, lots of ladies just assume their man will take care of them but every time I’ve been in a shitty situation I’ve been on my own. You are your own cavalry. I’d love more more chicks to be aware of this stuff.
@@smiley1949 around 15hrs ahead of you I think. My sleep is a little whack, but it’s all good I just fit it in where I can and do catch up sleep when I’ve got the time. It will get better once the Patreon course is all nutted out.
Much can be learned from being an experienced backpacker and be familiar with the gear and clothing they wear. The biggest component that have not been really discussed is the backpack. The backpack make a big difference in comfort or misery. Once you determine what your needs are, go and hike for 5-10 miles and you'll know whether you over/under pack and know what kind of physical shape you are in. Lastly, Instead of carrying extra box of ammo, I would choose to bring loaded mags instead. It's always good to see what people pack to get ideas too.
A key thing about packs is learn to adjust them. This comes in two categories. 1. The pack size. Today many backpacking packs are adjustable size. I loaned a pack to a friend and just assumed they would adjust it. They didn't. We met him at 10 miles in and he was hurting bad. We adjusted his pack and it was night and day different for him. 2. All the belts/straps. Learn to tighten those babies down tight. This gets the pack weight as close to your center of gravity as possible. It also makes it smaller, which is nice when trying to get through brush/trees. Lastly it stops stuff from shifting around and messing with your balance.
BT said it, backpacking can give you practical skills that totally apply here. I find that too many people are buying the things, but not learning how to use the things. Personally, I went from being a buyer with a pack that weighed too much, to a user, and only then did I learn what was useful, what needed to stay home (or go in the trash), and what I needed to add to make a better package. Weight is either going to make you or break you, and you'll only learn what works for you if you train.
I am a former Infantryman. I’ve rucked the jungles of Panama, Iraq deserts, Mountains of Korea and the woods of various states. I currently live in the mountains of the Central Valley of Costa Rica. Rucking is tough when you are in shape. You HAVE to be in shape to bug out, get home or stay out in the woods, jungle or desert for an extended period of time. All the gear and knowledge will not save you from getting exhausted and dumping gear. If you are a serious survivalist, you must make fitness your 1st priority. I have Systemic Lupus, Aplastic Anemia, Titanium hips and shoulders, but I can hump my ruck. Fitness is tantamount to success.
I'm not a bookworm by any stretch of the imagination, but when I found the home series, I read it all in a matter of days. I was addicted. Would love to see some more of them and now I can put a face to the name - A. American. Great content as always...
@@rontate7719 They're good, total of 10 books but I've only got up to 7. One of the best Prepping/Survival books. Makes me think, what's the minimum I would need if I was like Tom Hanks in Cast Away or Anthony Hopkins in Bear with Alec Baldwin 👍
Great video, Guys. I'm sure my pack needs to be reviewed again. As others have commented, gloves are essential. At any age they are beneficial but when one breaks the 80 barrier hands get softer and gloves are a life saver.
Take 25' of that cordage and make yourself rapid deployable ridge line so you can make a shelter more efficiently if the need arises. Great video and discussion gents thanks!
Great video. Always intrigued by other peoples’ bags, and what they carry. I was waiting for a saw as well as a mirror and whistle in this kit. I keep a small flashlight in my Cammenga pouch to charge the fluorescence at night. Although I have a tritium Cammenga in my alternate bag. I’ve been making and using “go-bags” since 1987 (back then we just called it camping). The requirements are the same but the contents have improved. Videos such as this are important for people who are new to the scene (or don’t have time to think about it as much).
This was awesome. Assembled my kit per Grey Bearded green beret. I got an A- on this IMO. Knowledge is the best item to carry, and its weight free. Appreciate this very much.
Great video! One thing I'd mention from the beginning though is the bag itself. "This is a new ruck I bought just before I came down here. I haven't really tested it at all." The contents could be perfect, but if the bag has hot spots or doesn't fit the individual carrying it, it doesn't matter what is in it. Use your gear!
45 lbs dry is too damn heavy. Gotta drop at least ten lbs. I think us prepared minded people blur the lines between a “get home bag” and a “never coming home bag”
I somewhat agree. Where I am I need two gallons of water in my pack during the summer. Water is not always around and it gets very hot and humid. There's sixteen pounds plus the container. Now add some essentials, and the weight adds up quickly. What a lot of people forget is what is already in their vehicle that they are not wanting to leave behind...so add another ten pounds because I'm not leaving my extra pistol, ammo, infrared and maybe a couple more items. So I might very well be starting with a GHB in the forty five plus pound range. As the water and food is consumed it gets lighter, then I'll be moving slower anyway due to having to procure water. Getting to RV is not always about speed. I may not want to arrive at my destination with depleted supplies because I only carried just enough and then find out the RV is compromised or it will take twice as long due to other issues. Just my two cents.
Consider changing your ruck to a non-tacticool (multicam, molle, etc) looking bag. Makes you a target as people will want to get to the contents of your backpack. Also, tactical bags weigh a ton.Great video!
Carrying a pack of any sort in SHTF will make you a target, regardless of what the bag looks like. The only reason you have a pack is to carry stuff, and bad guys will not discriminate if they think you might have something useful in it. Gray man subdued look is better suited to times where people are still relatively civil (like now). Just an observation...
@@lorkainenkingg8497 Think about it, if you’re desperate for tactical survival items/guns and you see one person walking with a old blue jansport backpack 🎒 and dressed like a hippie, and you see a person with a black maxpedition backpack with Molly webbing and all these side pouches hanging off, you’re gonna assume that guy has what you’re looking for and will go after that pack instead of the hippie looking dude with the blue jansport bag. Yeah everyone will have a bag, but it’s like guessing which driver will have more money even though everyone has a car, well, the one driving the most expensive car will most likely have more money on them, right? The same goes for bags. Hope that helps!
@@suprememagnetic4850 the hippie with the gray man pack still has "stuff" and to many may very well come off as an easier target... in an urban area I'd agree with you but if vehicles are stranded and people are walking every where especially outside city limits, everyone with any bag is a target...I pack just to get home from work in the event of shtf which will be 41 miles and 38 of them will be outside city limits so I'm more concerned with blending into woods and fields... so every situation requires different load outs
Super video. I've always been a survival / ourdoors guy since my dad first took me hunting... practice in the field, tons of books and vids, etc. BUT the title really caught my eye. No-nonsense and on point. Worth every minute IMHO. Well done!
I try to go through my Urban EDC/get home bag every month and familiarize myself with it and critique it. Removing and adding different things. I now have the itch to go through it again haha
One key thing to learn about survival situations is learn to supplement/replace/whatever with things from your environment. Need a fish hook. That barb from the fence may do the trick. Fingernails too long. Rocks are like a sandpaper. Work well. The key to survival is mindset. With that you can find/make/whatever. Treat your surroundings everywhere you go as a smorgasbord of things to choose from and practice it daily. Sitting at a stop light? Look around and ask yourself "What can I see that is useful for survival?" Out hiking? Same thing. Anywhere, anytime, use your surroundings as a teacher and resource now so it is a built in habit when it comes time to depend on it.
Chris, Russ and SGM: Amazing information! I watched this half way, grabbed our 'go bags' and took stock of what I could cut weight wise and things I should have and didn't. One thing I did not hear mentioned: MREs...great for calories, but they are extremely heavy, avoid at all costs! Thanks to all three again. -SFC (ret)
Great video! 45lbs is heavy for most people for an extended period to ruck if you don't train for it. Drop 10-15 pound's if it's a get home bag and you are withing a three day ruck. If further out than 3 days and pending on weather you might need more. Don't just build a bag and call it good make sure you can ruck the distance with it as well. Nice layout and stay vigilant. God speed.
My bag weighs 20 lb dry and that's with food. It will get me through all weather in this area spring through winter. May not be comfortable in below 20° temperatures but would survive them. Could take it down to -10° perhaps lower with a fire or shelter from wind. It's designed to get me from point A to point B without having to come in the contact with anyone and I can stay out with the current setup for 3 days. I have a very comprehensive first aid kit as part of it. I have a respirator that will take care of most chemicals including tear gas and goggles that do the same. Gloves that are cut, fire resistant and insulated. I have a gmrs radio and a weather radio with a turn crank and light on it. Three ways to treat or filter water, five different ways to start a fire. I have a gas powered stove and windscreen. A fairly good poncho. 200 lumens headlamp. Hand warmers. Survival tabs. A mixture of high protein power bars. Waterproof notepad and pen. Kevlar thread and needle for sewing. A small amount of gorilla tape. 2 oz of rubbing alcohol. 2 oz of hand sanitizer. 3 oz of liquid all purpose Camp soap. The 10x10 quality lightweight tarp. 100 feet of 1400lbs rated 2.5mm dyneema rope. A cloth emergency reflective bivy. A four season insulated ground air mat. A bug bivy. A 20° synthetic sleeping bag. Leatherman, magnifying glass, compass... The first aid kit has obvious stuff. A tourniquet, stitches, liquid stitch, scalpel, bleeding trauma kit, different size gauze pads, a mixture of medicines, burn gel, alcohol swabs, Band-Aid assortment.. And this is just what I can remember. Again 20 lbs with food.
You guys have an awesome channel. I recommend it to everyone who asks me about the subject of ‘survival’ or preparedness. Much respect for Chris and Alan, and what they’ve brought to the forefront of this subject. I picked Alan to win after the second episode of Alone that first season. I stopped watching television in 2009 when it went digital, but was able to watch the first season of Alone as I was taking care of my Mom at that time.
Thank you for this one. Having had the privilege of meeting Chris, I know that any prepper / survival video with him in it will be good and have useful information.
The lightest things to carry are skills and knowledge, but even those are often dependent on the right gear. Thanks for sharing, keep up the good work!
Wonderfully useful video for all level of prepared person. I have had this kind of mind set since the mid seventys and to see this level of gear review critique is priceless. I will be buying the books. Thank you TR & AA for the video and content.
I was deployed to the mountains of Afghanistan, when we did 30K dismounted movements, we'd break down MREs, cut spoons down, gut 550 cord, ANYTHING to cut weight. Also waterproof everything.... wet shit=miserable life.
You guys are so full of wisdom. I really appreciate this channel. I am a rank beginner and I’m trying to learn as much as possible. Thank you so much for the advice.
After watching your discussion and reading many of the comments I realize that the contents are a great choice if you only go a few hundred feet from where you park your vehicle. You don't need to be far away to be invisible and these folks would be much better off to bivewack rather than hoof it. It has taken days to years to find lost people that were only a few feet off the beaten path. I'm 79 now and very healthy yet I would not want to carry a heavy load. When I was twelve I spent many knights being cold until I discovered that a small fire with a reflector behind you made me very comfortable. Using that gear many times will cause it to become practical as the excess will be whittled away. Go camping with it and use it until the system gets broken in. A lot of valuable ideas in your discussion.
In Africa we carry bandannas and call them "101"s because they have a 101 uses. A common drinking game around the campfire in the bush is to play "101" and you have to take turns coming up with something new to use a 101 for until you reach a new 101... enough whisky and beer and you can come up with some original uses ;-P
Would add an emergency whistle and gloves. Like what Chris said a bag is individual and based on your knowledge! Carry more knowledge easiest thing to carry.
👍 gloves!! and eye protection for non glasses wearers. Whistle is under rated and forgot many times over in last decade or so. Then add another set of gloves. As I typed this I look at my left index finger to think if I had not been wearing kevlar gloves it wouldn't be there from the second joint. Eye protection I've had a set of eye protection with a piece of steel stuck half way through the lens saving my right eye.
Great video. Much respect. Thank you all very much. I'm always learning (and working on my bag) and appreciate you sharing the knowledge. Wish you guys the best.
I learned a lot here in terms of weight savings. I just built my GHB and keep thinking of ways to reduce weight. Thank you all for your service. Us "civilians" have no idea what conflicts and real survival looks like. I have a 16 mile drive so I'd assume that could stretch out to 20-30 miles if I had to walk and make detours to get home. My goal is to shed 20lbs of my own weight and get in better shape.
Some really advice. I dont have a pack like that. I tend to stay away from the "tactical" look. IF shtf then I prefer not to stand out. I do that enough already. Happy to hear the good info.
Excellent video. However, My preferences for carrying shelter items is always outside my ruck. What I sleep on outside, stays outside. Except my Sleeper. Rain Poncho and poncho liner. They are inside my ruck in a " LIGHT WEIGHT " stuff sack. Otherside A great ruck sack, I have the Camelbak version of that pack. It came with a bladder. I used carry four rain ponchos, now I have two and a basha tarp I use in conjunction with a bug net tent. I also live in Florida.
It would be great to put out a book or pamphlet detailing the load out . I live in Florida and close to the Ocala. I have read the series of home and love it I use it as a reference and have traveled some of the same roads. Thank you Chris.
I've noticed from my own experience and instructors that I've interacted with in courses that I've taken over the years. Is the deeper your skillset, the less you carry. When I first started getting into survival, and then later bushcraft and wilderness living. I had a big, bulky pack filled with stuff. Now well over a decade later, my pack is smaller, lighter and contains a lot less stuff.
Sometimes bushcraft and primitive living is not the way to go. All of those are good under a peaceful climate. But with our politic climate and all of the riots, bush craft and primitive living are way out of context. Especially in an urban environment. But I do agree that with knowledge and skill sets means to carry less. My bag for example is based on the 10'c of survival plus extra. The 10'CS stays the same no matter my environment even in an urban environment but my plus extras will change on my goals, environment, weather and so on. The only exception is for my first aid and trauma kit and thermal monocular and plash palatka which also stays within the 10'c. Everything else will change depending on different factors.
@@patwxdaddy I think you misread my comment where i clearly stated that sometimes, bushcraft and primitive living is not the way to go in aka fire by friction. However, there is also another saying. If your bag is too heavy, you will live it behind. Am I saying leave lighters behind? No I am not. What I am saying is instead of having a doze. Lighters, bring only two. Have multiple ways of starting fires. So with the two lighter fluid, bring a flint or sparky. Also, what a person brings is going to be independent on multiple factors. If your on a plane, you will not have lighters with you but you might have a sparky instead and so on. What I am saying is that you can have great gear but also the wrong gear. It does not mean that someone said so that it's right. Have gear that is multiple purposes. Know how to use the gear. Do not make it too heavy as you would not want to bring it with you. Go to courses and training. As for Naked Afraid, I never seen people head in any outings naked. If you watch that show, you need a better life. It's the stupidest show.
A lengthy suggestion here: Use large diameter soda/malted straws to put food, condiments, moisture sensitive articles in them. How to and tools needed: Needle nose pliers, and a candle. Holding one end of straw with needle nosed pliers with about 1/8 inch protruding outside the jaws---melt with candle then quickly clamp melted end by sliding inside jaws, hold for about 30 seconds. Suck on open end of straw to make sure you have a good seal. A little practice and you will get the hang of it. You can put just about anything that will fit inside the straws. In my BOB I have: .22rimfire rounds, speghetti, rice, instant mashed potatoes, instant milk, coffee, cream, sugar, salt, pepper, powdered eggs, fishing line, weights, and small hooks, matches with strike pad, spices, oatmeal, just to name a few. Surprisingly these take up very little room in your bag and are light weight. Hope that helps...Really liked this video.
Thanks for expanding on the packed straw idea. I loaded a few cut sections with vaseline loaded cotton balls a few years ago, but your description on how to melt them shut beat mine all to flinders. Using them for condiment containers is a good idea.
I may have missed it but a great addition would be some gorilla tape or duct tape. I would definitely ditch the poly tarp for a silnylon tarp, much less bulk and weight. Lastly, a good headlamp with a red light function.
My favorite setup is a Began of Norway 50 liter pack and a Maxpedition Jumbo Versiapack S-type (left handed). The pack is a government contract in lighter drab green, so I use a civilian backpack cover to use as urban camouflage.
This is heavy. What I do is take my bag on a few days outings trying to see what works and what doesn't. First, I stay away from MOLLE bags. They are not only a large target but also makes you add extras. Also, my bag is based on the 10'c of survival plus extras including a blanket, a first aid kit, trauma kit, extra clothes, ammo, plash palatka, thermal monocular, power bank, maps of the area, baby wipes, four way key, blue O-pen and food and water. I also go out with my bag every 6 months trying my kit and I change and or recharge my batteries every 6 months after my outings.
A few days isn't gonna do nothing but show you what a few days is about. At the minimum of a year is needed to sort kit under all and every eventuality you and luck of the draw can muster. Even then you wont get it all tossed at you so you have to keep on going. As you go, you will then find out what works and what wont. The items you replace then need to be given their proper run through.. It never ends..
@@Bergmann.Alaska you cannot pack a bag based on every eventuality and based on every disasters there are. If that is the case, you will be driving a dozen different trucks with everything and then again, that by itself will not be enough. This is why in my kit, I have the essentials that stays the same year round and what changes is the add on. So the my gear is oriented that way. So even if there was an eventuality were I had to egress, I would have my essentials which would give me maybe anything from 3 to a week worth of days which never changes. I know those essentials works because i walk and use them daily. And then, for essence, summer time is coming; so I remove my winter gear and replace them with my summer gear. And i will be using and trying that. Again, i cannot plan for every eventuality and for every scenarios but what i can do is train with what i have, get knowledge through training and courses (aka shooting, survival, TCCC and so on), go hiking and backpacking and walk from Philadelphia to Virginia for exemple which I do every year.
I use ziplock baggies to store/protect a lot of things I don’t want wet even 550 cord. I wouldn’t store anything breakable though. I even have my spare work uniform in gallon ziplocks. They don’t add bulk or weigh much compared to plastic containers. Also you can kind of make poncho liners more compact by storing them in the bags and pushing the air out right before you finish zipping the bag closed. I feel they help me with organizing things too.
1. One thing you may want is an Etool for a Dakota fire pit, small latrine or perhaps a folding Trowel. 2. Ready Wise, Wise or Backpacker Pantry are good for food, but it requires water. You could take broken down MREs with FRHs or maybe even homemade Pemican which is lighter and was used by pioneers. Some Hunza bread also. 3. Some prunes to ensure you're not constipated.
That was cool , I don’t think I saw some midland walkie-talkie there especially if you’re traveling with wife’s, if you get separated and if cell phone are down.
Could not be better explained. Used our bobs for hurricane María in Puerto Rico. Was not well done but was very helpful. Have done better since then. Will do even better now that I have seen this video.
@@patrickkinniburgh6429 I'm only 65, can only jog a 1/4 mile,, can walk all day, my BOB weighed 35 # with 64oz water in kleen kanteen, when i hump it all day at a steady pace by dark I'm bushed,, .must be getting old. 🤣
This is great. I believe building a bag is a constant. New technologies come along situations always change so I believe in doing this every season change to stay up on it
I would like to add that I really like #35 bank line, but it is dirty stuff, and while I do carry some simply because it can do some things better than other like items, I have started carrying 80 pound test braided Spyder wire fishing line. First when I set out trot lines, I'm not sport fishing, it is life or death, and at 80 pound test, I can use it for shelter building as well. I little background on myself, I'm a retired Navy SERE Instructor
good Lord i miss the days of the SB Dark Side book club. those were the some great folks to interact with, and AA never disappointed, always kept us window lickers and short bus door gunners wanting MOAR BOOK! great video please keep them coming!
Something I learned is start looking at different types of outdoors people. Through Hikers, Bushcrafters, Preppers bug out bags. Combine all this knowledge to make a bag. This video made me pause and tear my bag apart. My max weight goal is 35 pounds wet weight and mine can do everything this one can and I am way more comfortable in the bush, and I cut 44 pounds of fat off me so now I weigh less with my bag on than before.
My bugout bag is just backpacking gear I've been using for years. I know the gear, I use it often, I can trust it, and it's lightweight. A lot of the "tactical survival" gear is snake oil for the most part and it puts a huge target on your back. If you buy good quality backpacking gear, you're more than likely going to use it and utilize that equipment to the fullest potential.
@George Email Sure! My gear is stuff I intend to use every other weekend. So it is geared for comfort. Pack: -Kelty Coyote 65L Cook Kit: -Toaks 750ml cup (other than the spoon, everything fits in this cup) -BRS Titanium Stove + fuel -Two mini bic lighters (with strips of inner bike tube wrapped around it for tinder/fire starter) -Long Titanium spoon -Small strip of cleaning cloth -A plastic mug (it's cut in half to fit inside my toaks cup) Shelter/sleep system: -Durston X-Mid 2P tent -DIY Tyvek footprint -30 degree quilt from hammock gear -Nemo Tensor sleeping pad (insulated) -DIY pillow case (fits right over sleeping pad to prevent slipping underneath and stuffed with my jacket) -DIY sleeping bag liner made of %100 yak wool misc: -8 bankline bundles, precut into 10' long strips (ditch the paracord! Bankline is the way to go!) -Bahco saw (will be replacing with knife point's ultralight saw fairly soon) -Morakniv knife -some random cheap aluminum trekking poles -Katadyn water filter (filters faster than a sawyer and doesn't clog as bad either) -BTR stool -Nitecore headlamp -10,000mah battery bank -dogtag size knife sharpener -Customized first aid inside a ziplock bag -a bidet (bro, trust me on this one!) -9mm Canik TP9SF with two mags (40rds total)
@George Email If you're going out to buy some gear, get yourself a well insulated sleeping pad and a good tarp. For fire starting. A bic lighter is really all you need. I've been using the same mini bic for the past two years and it's still lighting %100 of the time. lastly, I found a great video that goes over ultralight foods for backpacking. It's chuck full of great information and he even whipped up a downloadable excel sheet of what kind of foods are great for bugging out ( watch?v=gbmQRmuv88c )
Tactical Rifleman >> Chris >> i love the way you guys went thru this bag it is the BEST ONE i have ever gone thru here on you tube . very no nonsense clear explanation on everything and a very nice break down of the bag and everything over all. God Bless You two and everyone you work with for and on these videos .
Bro’s ,I’m way more prepared than that guy and I don’t follow any forums and my rock is sick, my level of confidence now is very high. Thank you for the information.
I know he said Vaseline and im sure that works but i would recommend Body Glide to anyone making a bug out or get home bag that stuff prevents chafing like nobody’s business. BSN Leukotape tape is great for hot spots on ur feet too it’s tough as nails
This was helpful. As someone who was in the woods with Boy Scouts. I once had to share a sleeping bag at 33 degree F in the rain due to a buddy without a plastic wrap on the sleep gear. Cold
Lesson in “Bugging Out” First thing I learned was that a one hour get-out time is barely workable and we are going to try and improve on that Second; moving 12,000 rds in a hurry is not workable. I have got to improve on this one. Third; Food and water purification took its toll as well. But the main lesson learned was “you’ve got to try it in order to find the holes in the system”! I Never truly understood the complexity of what it would take until now. Just sharing lessons learned.
@@TacticalRifleman I've got a MOLLE Bag myself only difference mine's more of Medium Sized OD (Olive Drab) Wilderness Green that I'm using more as a Urban Wilderness Preparedness Survival Bag inside-out with Multicolor Foliage Green (Olive Drab-Gray) exterior loadout that has Foliage Green/Wolf Gray/Grey MOLLE Pouches attached, OD (Olive Drab) Wilderness Green MOLLE Pouches attached as well as little bit Camouflage MOLLE Pouches attached that have Foliage like Gray/Grey & OD (Olive Drab) Wilderness like Green all in 1 Pattern!
Great video and thank you Karl. I'm no fan of freeze dried food though - no calories, lots of salt, takes preparation. I prefer old fashioned home made pemmican or like you have, Daytrex bars. Heck even peanuts will work in a pinch. The stove is for hot coffee or tea or to just warm up a little. Race Dragon instead of the Armalite. I use a four layered system. EDC, ScotEVest with 2nd line gear, fishing vest (Summer) or down hunting vest (Winter)with 3rd layer gear, then the backpack. My load is distributed much better and much more accessible for chores/emergencies and I'm more mobile if I have to ditch the pack (Kelty Red Wing 3100)
I was one of those screaming moar book on the survival forum years ago. Still kicking myself for not getting a signed hardback copy of the first book. Great series that will really make you think especially with all the national and international events going on now
There's a lot to be learned from long distance thru-hikers as well IMHO. They literally walk all day for months with a pack on. There's a reason that they don't do pack "shakedowns" at major trailheads; EVERYONE believes they need to pack every ounce of crap that they have stuffed into their pack at that point in their journey. And nothing you say will change their mind. Several days into the "major" thru-hiker trails, is where they'll have their first shakedown from a pro outfitter/experienced thru-hiker. At this point, most are begging and ready to listen to the expert advice being given by people who have previously completed the multi-state walk that they're just beginning. The old saying: "ounces equal pounds, and pounds equal pain." - they will truly understand now. Four bandanas, two wash clothes, and a pot holder could easily be paired down to just two bandanas. Excessive knives, tools, ammo, etc. you'll be ready to ditch too. I may have missed it, but I didn't see a water filter? I'd add a filter or drops for sure if you don't already have something. Boiling water every time you need to fill your canteen isn't practical at all. Some good kit in this bag for sure, but lots of opportunities to reduce weight/bulk/excessive redundancies also. Getting a gear shakedown is always a lesson in humility for me, but someone else saying it out loud really drives home the ridiculousness of some of the items that end up inside your pack!
long distance thru-hikers are about hiking, NOT survival in an extreme scenario. The go carefully planned routes, with camp sites and fire pits and marked water spots. They can be light because they know what's ahead.
If I may add, I just would like to say that if one has to choose between carrying toenail clippers or fingernail clippers, go with toenail clippers. You can use it on both on your toenails and on your fingernails.
This sure as hell seems like a luxury to me. He has 2 multi tools, a pair if scissors, and FIVE knives. I cut ALL my nails with whatever knife is closest. I know that's weird, but it's super feasible.
I have found that Orajel with 20% benzocaine works great for blisters, bee stings, bug bits, cuts and things like that. Might be worth adding to a med kit. Keep up the great work.
An easy way to drop weight is to go with a "Yukon-pack" (pack your stuff in your tarp/poncho and tie it up with some of your cordage) - only thing to add weight to your actual stuff are the shoulder straps and a padded waist belt. A quality backpack easily adds 5-8 lbs with no other use than to contain everything and carry it around. A tourniquet is the silliest thing to put into an emergency/bug out/get home/survival kit - you need to get to a surgery within 90 min or you will loose the limb - and is easily replaceable by some paracord and a stick. I'm missing a big clear plastic drop-cloth to turn your shelter into a Mors Kochanski's "super-shelter" - and a whistle. Stay safe guys
Yeah there is! Its funny his book "Cry Havoc" and "Going Home" are seemingly coming to true, Sudden talks of sola flares, countries expanding nuclear arsenals, cryptocurrency and current LE and civil dynamics all over the world oh and racial stuffs too arent looking too hot...
Tetracyclines like Doxycycline don't become toxic with age. Additionally, the Shelf Life Extension study found they retained potency for years after the expiration date.
Advice. Nothing military look. Get in shape. Less weight. Get light weight bag but good volumen. Thanks guys. I am steel learning. Something to cut a wire fence. Good head protection.
as far as the tarp goes, invest in a Sil-Nylon tarp. I don't bother with tent stakes as I can make my own on the fly. I do carry a small traps, snares, fishing kit for when I find a nice place to rest up for a couple of days. As to hunting, I go the opportunistic approach, as to actively hunt, just to hunt burns a lot of calories.
Awesome video! I love A. American books too! I hope to see more videos like this in the future. Maybe a gear dump video for women's GHB BOB kits? That would be awesome!
Physical fitness was left out of the discussion. It's a good idea to train with your bugout bag, regularly. I mean strap it on and start rucking. It won't long before you start leaving the comfort items at home, or in your vehicle, because your pack weighs too much. And, after your conditioning starts to improve, get off the beaten path (the pavement), and start hiking through cover (fields and forests). In a non-permissive situation, you will not want to be on the highway to hell. Bushwacking will be the safer way to travel. Have something waterproof and inflatable in your pack for river crossings, the bridges will be choke points. My winter get home bag is 25 lbs., and I'm trying to get it down to 20 lbs. Am I going to be comfortable with such a minimalist pack? No, but I can survive. Travel light, freeze at night.
That gentleman couldn’t make it from farm to farm in Nebraska carrying his 45 pound ruck.
@@JeepCherokeeful well it’s good for all of us to start working on better fitness for any reason for what you can with out putting yourself at to much risk though health wise. Start doing something and a little more each or every other day. No need to criticize but to encourage each other. Many aren’t in there 20’s or 30’s anymore. Some aren’t even in their 40’s any more but all want to survive as you do. Things like this gives us reason to start living better. Eating better and some kind of physical fitness but striving for much better fitness.
Mobility trumps ultimate preparedness! Get out and ruck! I’m 65 I ruck with my bag almost every day, above 7000ft in the Rockys!
@J 👍As you know fitness is at the heart of preparedness and survival.
Yeah, look at the trails refugees use, it's littered with stuff that they found too heavy. And also 2 = 1, 1=0, shouldn't be for everything, just the essentials.
I’m just glad his wife is on board with putting one together and carrying it too, lots of ladies just assume their man will take care of them but every time I’ve been in a shitty situation I’ve been on my own. You are your own cavalry. I’d love more more chicks to be aware of this stuff.
Mens 60lb ruck- can live for a year of grid.
Women 600lb ruck- 3 day vacation, and still has to go shopping when we get there.
Susan, when do you sleep, Down Under? The time difference must be crazy,
@@smiley1949 around 15hrs ahead of you I think. My sleep is a little whack, but it’s all good I just fit it in where I can and do catch up sleep when I’ve got the time. It will get better once the Patreon course is all nutted out.
And right you are. Depending on each other is major important but also being able to be self reliant is key.
Please look up stilettos and shotguns
Much can be learned from being an experienced backpacker and be familiar with the gear and clothing they wear. The biggest component that have not been really discussed is the backpack. The backpack make a big difference in comfort or misery. Once you determine what your needs are, go and hike for 5-10 miles and you'll know whether you over/under pack and know what kind of physical shape you are in. Lastly, Instead of carrying extra box of ammo, I would choose to bring loaded mags instead. It's always good to see what people pack to get ideas too.
A key thing about packs is learn to adjust them. This comes in two categories. 1. The pack size. Today many backpacking packs are adjustable size. I loaned a pack to a friend and just assumed they would adjust it. They didn't. We met him at 10 miles in and he was hurting bad. We adjusted his pack and it was night and day different for him. 2. All the belts/straps. Learn to tighten those babies down tight. This gets the pack weight as close to your center of gravity as possible. It also makes it smaller, which is nice when trying to get through brush/trees. Lastly it stops stuff from shifting around and messing with your balance.
Or you know, more than an empty pint water bottle.
BT said it, backpacking can give you practical skills that totally apply here.
I find that too many people are buying the things, but not learning how to use the things. Personally, I went from being a buyer with a pack that weighed too much, to a user, and only then did I learn what was useful, what needed to stay home (or go in the trash), and what I needed to add to make a better package. Weight is either going to make you or break you, and you'll only learn what works for you if you train.
Agreed
I am a former Infantryman. I’ve rucked the jungles of Panama, Iraq deserts, Mountains of Korea and the woods of various states. I currently live in the mountains of the Central Valley of Costa Rica. Rucking is tough when you are in shape. You HAVE to be in shape to bug out, get home or stay out in the woods, jungle or desert for an extended period of time. All the gear and knowledge will not save you from getting exhausted and dumping gear. If you are a serious survivalist, you must make fitness your 1st priority. I have Systemic Lupus, Aplastic Anemia, Titanium hips and shoulders, but I can hump my ruck. Fitness is tantamount to success.
I'm not a bookworm by any stretch of the imagination, but when I found the home series, I read it all in a matter of days. I was addicted. Would love to see some more of them and now I can put a face to the name - A. American. Great content as always...
Eye stopped at 7 0r ate.
Got a little ..I dont know.
But.
Still recommend them.
No bug out bag here.
But it's good to get to thinking of thses things.
Same as me, soon as he said A. American i was like, hey i read those. Fun read
@@rontate7719 They're good, total of 10 books but I've only got up to 7. One of the best Prepping/Survival books.
Makes me think, what's the minimum I would need if I was like Tom Hanks in Cast Away or Anthony Hopkins in Bear with Alec Baldwin 👍
Great video, Guys. I'm sure my pack needs to be reviewed again. As others have commented, gloves are essential. At any age they are beneficial but when one breaks the 80 barrier hands get softer and gloves are a life saver.
I'm 67, and I know what you mean 👍
I’m 75. Age grinds to s down, but we can compensate in many ways.
Take 25' of that cordage and make yourself rapid deployable ridge line so you can make a shelter more efficiently if the need arises. Great video and discussion gents thanks!
Great video.
Always intrigued by other peoples’ bags, and what they carry. I was waiting for a saw as well as a mirror and whistle in this kit.
I keep a small flashlight in my Cammenga pouch to charge the fluorescence at night. Although I have a tritium Cammenga in my alternate bag.
I’ve been making and using “go-bags” since 1987 (back then we just called it camping). The requirements are the same but the contents have improved.
Videos such as this are important for people who are new to the scene (or don’t have time to think about it as much).
Can you make this a series? It's so helpful to improve my get-home bag from these videos.
This was awesome. Assembled my kit per Grey Bearded green beret. I got an A- on this IMO. Knowledge is the best item to carry, and its weight free. Appreciate this very much.
I watch videos also, very good, especially his ultra light bags 👍
Great video! One thing I'd mention from the beginning though is the bag itself. "This is a new ruck I bought just before I came down here. I haven't really tested it at all." The contents could be perfect, but if the bag has hot spots or doesn't fit the individual carrying it, it doesn't matter what is in it. Use your gear!
45 lbs dry is too damn heavy. Gotta drop at least ten lbs. I think us prepared minded people blur the lines between a “get home bag” and a “never coming home bag”
Yep. We ain't 20. Walk 5 miles with a 40 lb ruck. You will learn a valuable lesson.
Not too heavy for flat terrain if you run 3 miles, 3 times a week.
@@JeepCherokeeful This guy does not run 3 miles 3 times a week...
@@Salty_Boogers 😂👍
I somewhat agree. Where I am I need two gallons of water in my pack during the summer. Water is not always around and it gets very hot and humid. There's sixteen pounds plus the container. Now add some essentials, and the weight adds up quickly. What a lot of people forget is what is already in their vehicle that they are not wanting to leave behind...so add another ten pounds because I'm not leaving my extra pistol, ammo, infrared and maybe a couple more items. So I might very well be starting with a GHB in the forty five plus pound range. As the water and food is consumed it gets lighter, then I'll be moving slower anyway due to having to procure water. Getting to RV is not always about speed. I may not want to arrive at my destination with depleted supplies because I only carried just enough and then find out the RV is compromised or it will take twice as long due to other issues. Just my two cents.
Consider changing your ruck to a non-tacticool (multicam, molle, etc) looking bag. Makes you a target as people will want to get to the contents of your backpack. Also, tactical bags weigh a ton.Great video!
Carrying a pack of any sort in SHTF will make you a target, regardless of what the bag looks like. The only reason you have a pack is to carry stuff, and bad guys will not discriminate if they think you might have something useful in it. Gray man subdued look is better suited to times where people are still relatively civil (like now). Just an observation...
@@lorkainenkingg8497
Think about it, if you’re desperate for tactical survival items/guns and you see one person walking with a old blue jansport backpack 🎒 and dressed like a hippie, and you see a person with a black maxpedition backpack with Molly webbing and all these side pouches hanging off, you’re gonna assume that guy has what you’re looking for and will go after that pack instead of the hippie looking dude with the blue jansport bag. Yeah everyone will have a bag, but it’s like guessing which driver will have more money even though everyone has a car, well, the one driving the most expensive car will most likely have more money on them, right? The same goes for bags.
Hope that helps!
@@suprememagnetic4850 the hippie with the gray man pack still has "stuff" and to many may very well come off as an easier target... in an urban area I'd agree with you but if vehicles are stranded and people are walking every where especially outside city limits, everyone with any bag is a target...I pack just to get home from work in the event of shtf which will be 41 miles and 38 of them will be outside city limits so I'm more concerned with blending into woods and fields... so every situation requires different load outs
Super video. I've always been a survival / ourdoors guy since my dad first took me hunting... practice in the field, tons of books and vids, etc. BUT the title really caught my eye. No-nonsense and on point. Worth every minute IMHO. Well done!
I try to go through my Urban EDC/get home bag every month and familiarize myself with it and critique it. Removing and adding different things. I now have the itch to go through it again haha
One key thing to learn about survival situations is learn to supplement/replace/whatever with things from your environment. Need a fish hook. That barb from the fence may do the trick. Fingernails too long. Rocks are like a sandpaper. Work well. The key to survival is mindset. With that you can find/make/whatever. Treat your surroundings everywhere you go as a smorgasbord of things to choose from and practice it daily. Sitting at a stop light? Look around and ask yourself "What can I see that is useful for survival?" Out hiking? Same thing. Anywhere, anytime, use your surroundings as a teacher and resource now so it is a built in habit when it comes time to depend on it.
Good idea, keeps your mind active and always working, helps slow down mind attrophy. Like any muscle, always exercise your mind to keep it sharp.
Chris, Russ and SGM: Amazing information! I watched this half way, grabbed our 'go bags' and took stock of what I could cut weight wise and things I should have and didn't. One thing I did not hear mentioned: MREs...great for calories, but they are extremely heavy, avoid at all costs! Thanks to all three again. -SFC (ret)
Great video! 45lbs is heavy for most people for an extended period to ruck if you don't train for it. Drop 10-15 pound's if it's a get home bag and you are withing a three day ruck. If further out than 3 days and pending on weather you might need more. Don't just build a bag and call it good make sure you can ruck the distance with it as well. Nice layout and stay vigilant. God speed.
My bag weighs 20 lb dry and that's with food. It will get me through all weather in this area spring through winter. May not be comfortable in below 20° temperatures but would survive them. Could take it down to -10° perhaps lower with a fire or shelter from wind. It's designed to get me from point A to point B without having to come in the contact with anyone and I can stay out with the current setup for 3 days. I have a very comprehensive first aid kit as part of it. I have a respirator that will take care of most chemicals including tear gas and goggles that do the same. Gloves that are cut, fire resistant and insulated. I have a gmrs radio and a weather radio with a turn crank and light on it. Three ways to treat or filter water, five different ways to start a fire. I have a gas powered stove and windscreen. A fairly good poncho. 200 lumens headlamp. Hand warmers. Survival tabs. A mixture of high protein power bars. Waterproof notepad and pen. Kevlar thread and needle for sewing. A small amount of gorilla tape. 2 oz of rubbing alcohol. 2 oz of hand sanitizer. 3 oz of liquid all purpose Camp soap. The 10x10 quality lightweight tarp. 100 feet of 1400lbs rated 2.5mm dyneema rope. A cloth emergency reflective bivy. A four season insulated ground air mat. A bug bivy. A 20° synthetic sleeping bag. Leatherman, magnifying glass, compass...
The first aid kit has obvious stuff. A tourniquet, stitches, liquid stitch, scalpel, bleeding trauma kit, different size gauze pads, a mixture of medicines, burn gel, alcohol swabs, Band-Aid assortment..
And this is just what I can remember. Again 20 lbs with food.
You guys have an awesome channel. I recommend it to everyone who asks me about the subject of ‘survival’ or preparedness. Much respect for Chris and Alan, and what they’ve brought to the forefront of this subject.
I picked Alan to win after the second episode of Alone that first season.
I stopped watching television in 2009 when it went digital, but was able to watch the first season of Alone as I was taking care of my Mom at that time.
Thank you for this one. Having had the privilege of meeting Chris, I know that any prepper / survival video with him in it will be good and have useful information.
This motivated me to strip my bag down some more and I trimmed 8lbs off (out) of it..
Oh , I had to look twice, thought you wrote , trim by 80 lbs. ha,ha,Lol😅😂
Cool. Now trim my wife by 8lbs please.
@@glennllewellyn7369 LOL
Chris needs his own channel doing stuff just like this!
The lightest things to carry are skills and knowledge, but even those are often dependent on the right gear. Thanks for sharing, keep up the good work!
Wonderfully useful video for all level of prepared person. I have had this kind of mind set since the mid seventys and to see this level of gear review critique is priceless. I will be buying the books. Thank you TR & AA for the video and content.
I was deployed to the mountains of Afghanistan, when we did 30K dismounted movements, we'd break down MREs, cut spoons down, gut 550 cord, ANYTHING to cut weight.
Also waterproof everything.... wet shit=miserable life.
Can you elaborate on waterproofing?
It just means put everything in trash bags or zip lock bags so the water doesn't get into it. When things get wet they get heavier
You guys are so full of wisdom. I really appreciate this channel. I am a rank beginner and I’m trying to learn as much as possible. Thank you so much for the advice.
After watching your discussion and reading many of the comments I realize that the contents are a great choice if you only go a few hundred feet from where you park your vehicle. You don't need to be far away to be invisible and these folks would be much better off to bivewack rather than hoof it. It has taken days to years to find lost people that were only a few feet off the beaten path. I'm 79 now and very healthy yet I would not want to carry a heavy load. When I was twelve I spent many knights being cold until I discovered that a small fire with a reflector behind you made me very comfortable. Using that gear many times will cause it to become practical as the excess will be whittled away. Go camping with it and use it until the system gets broken in. A lot of valuable ideas in your discussion.
Agreed. Thanks for sharing. TR
In Africa we carry bandannas and call them "101"s because they have a 101 uses. A common drinking game around the campfire in the bush is to play "101" and you have to take turns coming up with something new to use a 101 for until you reach a new 101... enough whisky and beer and you can come up with some original uses ;-P
We need beers. Family is in Preto.
Australia
Would add an emergency whistle and gloves. Like what Chris said a bag is individual and based on your knowledge! Carry more knowledge easiest thing to carry.
👍 gloves!! and eye protection for non glasses wearers. Whistle is under rated and forgot many times over in last decade or so. Then add another set of gloves. As I typed this I look at my left index finger to think if I had not been wearing kevlar gloves it wouldn't be there from the second joint. Eye protection I've had a set of eye protection with a piece of steel stuck half way through the lens saving my right eye.
To read, the Army Survival FM would be a must, light and lots of good ideas. You can use the pages to start fires 👍
Great stuff! Everyone should have a bugout bag/go-bag. Ya never know when you might need it! Fun for camping too.
Great video. Much respect. Thank you all very much. I'm always learning (and working on my bag) and appreciate you sharing the knowledge. Wish you guys the best.
I learned a lot here in terms of weight savings. I just built my GHB and keep thinking of ways to reduce weight. Thank you all for your service. Us "civilians" have no idea what conflicts and real survival looks like. I have a 16 mile drive so I'd assume that could stretch out to 20-30 miles if I had to walk and make detours to get home. My goal is to shed 20lbs of my own weight and get in better shape.
Some really advice. I dont have a pack like that. I tend to stay away from the "tactical" look. IF shtf then I prefer not to stand out. I do that enough already. Happy to hear the good info.
I love how he doesn't really do the political environment, but then he drops the sponsor 80 percent arm's. Good stuff😉
I liked that too. Nice middle finger to the man...
@@Bitter_Blueberry FU2B
@@Bitter_Blueberry what does that mean?
@@ahandgrenade3640 Let's Go Brandon/FJB 👍😊
Excellent video. However, My preferences for carrying shelter items is always outside my ruck. What I sleep on outside, stays outside. Except my Sleeper. Rain Poncho and poncho liner. They are inside my ruck in a " LIGHT WEIGHT " stuff sack. Otherside A great ruck sack, I have the Camelbak version of that pack. It came with a bladder. I used carry four rain ponchos, now I have two and a basha tarp I use in conjunction with a bug net tent. I also live in Florida.
It would be great to put out a book or pamphlet detailing the load out . I live in Florida and close to the Ocala. I have read the series of home and love it I use it as a reference and have traveled some of the same roads. Thank you Chris.
I've noticed from my own experience and instructors that I've interacted with in courses that I've taken over the years. Is the deeper your skillset, the less you carry. When I first started getting into survival, and then later bushcraft and wilderness living. I had a big, bulky pack filled with stuff. Now well over a decade later, my pack is smaller, lighter and contains a lot less stuff.
Absolutely. The better your skills the lighter the load
Sometimes bushcraft and primitive living is not the way to go. All of those are good under a peaceful climate. But with our politic climate and all of the riots, bush craft and primitive living are way out of context. Especially in an urban environment. But I do agree that with knowledge and skill sets means to carry less. My bag for example is based on the 10'c of survival plus extra. The 10'CS stays the same no matter my environment even in an urban environment but my plus extras will change on my goals, environment, weather and so on. The only exception is for my first aid and trauma kit and thermal monocular and plash palatka which also stays within the 10'c. Everything else will change depending on different factors.
@@patwxdaddy I think you misread my comment where i clearly stated that sometimes, bushcraft and primitive living is not the way to go in aka fire by friction. However, there is also another saying. If your bag is too heavy, you will live it behind. Am I saying leave lighters behind? No I am not. What I am saying is instead of having a doze. Lighters, bring only two. Have multiple ways of starting fires. So with the two lighter fluid, bring a flint or sparky. Also, what a person brings is going to be independent on multiple factors. If your on a plane, you will not have lighters with you but you might have a sparky instead and so on.
What I am saying is that you can have great gear but also the wrong gear. It does not mean that someone said so that it's right. Have gear that is multiple purposes. Know how to use the gear. Do not make it too heavy as you would not want to bring it with you. Go to courses and training. As for Naked Afraid, I never seen people head in any outings naked. If you watch that show, you need a better life. It's the stupidest show.
The more you know, the less you need.
Mors Korchsnski
Check out his 2 Kilo survival pot 👍
Chris and Russ are good people personally and they really know their stuff . Great video 👍
The going home series is awesome...I really enjoyed it, awesome job.👍 Great video guys.
A lengthy suggestion here: Use large diameter soda/malted straws to put food, condiments, moisture sensitive articles in them. How to and tools needed: Needle nose pliers, and a candle. Holding one end of straw with needle nosed pliers with about 1/8 inch protruding outside the jaws---melt with candle then quickly clamp melted end by sliding inside jaws, hold for about 30 seconds. Suck on open end of straw to make sure you have a good seal. A little practice and you will get the hang of it. You can put just about anything that will fit inside the straws. In my BOB I have: .22rimfire rounds, speghetti, rice, instant mashed potatoes, instant milk, coffee, cream, sugar, salt, pepper, powdered eggs, fishing line, weights, and small hooks, matches with strike pad, spices, oatmeal, just to name a few. Surprisingly these take up very little room in your bag and are light weight. Hope that helps...Really liked this video.
Thanks for expanding on the packed straw idea. I loaded a few cut sections with vaseline loaded cotton balls a few years ago, but your description on how to melt them shut beat mine all to flinders. Using them for condiment containers is a good idea.
I may have missed it but a great addition would be some gorilla tape or duct tape. I would definitely ditch the poly tarp for a silnylon tarp, much less bulk and weight. Lastly, a good headlamp with a red light function.
Paria has excellent silnylon tarps at great prices.
Just wrap the bic with duct tape. You can get a good amount without any extra packing consideration
Great job going thru and explaining! Great idea about sheaths and gear pouches! Going to have to dump my bag... Kudos Karl and crew!
Karl great video. The one I didn't see was bug repellent. Here in Florida and the rest of the south it a must for me.
Treat everthing ahead with permethrin.
I think is good idea.
Great information! Thanks for sharing.
My favorite setup is a Began of Norway 50 liter pack and a Maxpedition Jumbo Versiapack S-type (left handed). The pack is a government contract in lighter drab green, so I use a civilian backpack cover to use as urban camouflage.
This is heavy. What I do is take my bag on a few days outings trying to see what works and what doesn't. First, I stay away from MOLLE bags. They are not only a large target but also makes you add extras. Also, my bag is based on the 10'c of survival plus extras including a blanket, a first aid kit, trauma kit, extra clothes, ammo, plash palatka, thermal monocular, power bank, maps of the area, baby wipes, four way key, blue O-pen and food and water. I also go out with my bag every 6 months trying my kit and I change and or recharge my batteries every 6 months after my outings.
A few days isn't gonna do nothing but show you what a few days is about. At the minimum of a year is needed to sort kit under all and every eventuality you and luck of the draw can muster. Even then you wont get it all tossed at you so you have to keep on going. As you go, you will then find out what works and what wont. The items you replace then need to be given their proper run through.. It never ends..
@@Bergmann.Alaska you cannot pack a bag based on every eventuality and based on every disasters there are. If that is the case, you will be driving a dozen different trucks with everything and then again, that by itself will not be enough. This is why in my kit, I have the essentials that stays the same year round and what changes is the add on. So the my gear is oriented that way. So even if there was an eventuality were I had to egress, I would have my essentials which would give me maybe anything from 3 to a week worth of days which never changes. I know those essentials works because i walk and use them daily. And then, for essence, summer time is coming; so I remove my winter gear and replace them with my summer gear. And i will be using and trying that. Again, i cannot plan for every eventuality and for every scenarios but what i can do is train with what i have, get knowledge through training and courses (aka shooting, survival, TCCC and so on), go hiking and backpacking and walk from Philadelphia to Virginia for exemple which I do every year.
@@alphabears6342 With experience you gain perspective. It never stops until you stop....
@@Bergmann.Alaska agreed. This is why you need to train and try the equipment over and over again in different environments.
The home series is awesome 👌
The first "Home" book built my bugout bag.
Great video! I very much enjoyed it !
Titled Home, that also happens to be the freakiest episode of XFiles: “ Don’t worry Mam, we’ll get you home.” “ Uh Scully... I think she is home”
I use ziplock baggies to store/protect a lot of things I don’t want wet even 550 cord. I wouldn’t store anything breakable though. I even have my spare work uniform in gallon ziplocks. They don’t add bulk or weigh much compared to plastic containers. Also you can kind of make poncho liners more compact by storing them in the bags and pushing the air out right before you finish zipping the bag closed. I feel they help me with organizing things too.
1. One thing you may want is an Etool for a Dakota fire pit, small latrine or perhaps a folding Trowel.
2. Ready Wise, Wise or Backpacker Pantry are good for food, but it requires water. You could take broken down MREs with FRHs or maybe even homemade Pemican which is lighter and was used by pioneers. Some Hunza bread also.
3. Some prunes to ensure you're not constipated.
That was cool , I don’t think I saw some midland walkie-talkie there especially if you’re traveling with wife’s, if you get separated and if cell phone are down.
A. American is a badass. Love the series. Think I’m on book 4 now.
It gets better, I’m on book 10
I am on book 5 have been reading about a book a week and think I need to slow down. I dont want it to end to quick
Could not be better explained. Used our bobs for hurricane María in Puerto Rico. Was not well done but was very helpful. Have done better since then. Will do even better now that I have seen this video.
They talked about everything except physical fitness
True being overweight is a detriment to yourself and your entire team/family.
yes Sir. I am 66 and lifting weight everyday.
I was thinking that the whole time a big part of survival is running and I can’t imagine them being particularly good at that
@@kazimierzspaczynski7401 Damn and by lifting weight he means carrying them big balls around. Hope to still be lifting weights when I get there.
@@patrickkinniburgh6429 I'm only 65, can only jog a 1/4 mile,, can walk all day, my BOB weighed 35 # with 64oz water in kleen kanteen, when i hump it all day at a steady pace by dark I'm bushed,, .must be getting old. 🤣
This is great. I believe building a bag is a constant. New technologies come along situations always change so I believe in doing this every season change to stay up on it
I would like to add that I really like #35 bank line, but it is dirty stuff, and while I do carry some simply because it can do some things better than other like items, I have started carrying 80 pound test braided Spyder wire fishing line. First when I set out trot lines, I'm not sport fishing, it is life or death, and at 80 pound test, I can use it for shelter building as well. I little background on myself, I'm a retired Navy SERE Instructor
good Lord i miss the days of the SB Dark Side book club. those were the some great folks to interact with, and AA never disappointed, always kept us window lickers and short bus door gunners wanting MOAR BOOK! great video please keep them coming!
Something I learned is start looking at different types of outdoors people. Through Hikers, Bushcrafters, Preppers bug out bags. Combine all this knowledge to make a bag. This video made me pause and tear my bag apart. My max weight goal is 35 pounds wet weight and mine can do everything this one can and I am way more comfortable in the bush, and I cut 44 pounds of fat off me so now I weigh less with my bag on than before.
"Mogadishu double-ammo loadout" cracked me up! Best line ever!
My bugout bag is just backpacking gear I've been using for years. I know the gear, I use it often, I can trust it, and it's lightweight.
A lot of the "tactical survival" gear is snake oil for the most part and it puts a huge target on your back. If you buy good quality backpacking gear, you're more than likely going to use it and utilize that equipment to the fullest potential.
@George Email Sure! My gear is stuff I intend to use every other weekend. So it is geared for comfort.
Pack:
-Kelty Coyote 65L
Cook Kit:
-Toaks 750ml cup (other than the spoon, everything fits in this cup)
-BRS Titanium Stove + fuel
-Two mini bic lighters (with strips of inner bike tube wrapped around it for tinder/fire starter)
-Long Titanium spoon
-Small strip of cleaning cloth
-A plastic mug (it's cut in half to fit inside my toaks cup)
Shelter/sleep system:
-Durston X-Mid 2P tent
-DIY Tyvek footprint
-30 degree quilt from hammock gear
-Nemo Tensor sleeping pad (insulated)
-DIY pillow case (fits right over sleeping pad to prevent slipping underneath and stuffed with my jacket)
-DIY sleeping bag liner made of %100 yak wool
misc:
-8 bankline bundles, precut into 10' long strips (ditch the paracord! Bankline is the way to go!)
-Bahco saw (will be replacing with knife point's ultralight saw fairly soon)
-Morakniv knife
-some random cheap aluminum trekking poles
-Katadyn water filter (filters faster than a sawyer and doesn't clog as bad either)
-BTR stool
-Nitecore headlamp
-10,000mah battery bank
-dogtag size knife sharpener
-Customized first aid inside a ziplock bag
-a bidet (bro, trust me on this one!)
-9mm Canik TP9SF with two mags (40rds total)
@George Email If you're going out to buy some gear, get yourself a well insulated sleeping pad and a good tarp.
For fire starting. A bic lighter is really all you need. I've been using the same mini bic for the past two years and it's still lighting %100 of the time.
lastly, I found a great video that goes over ultralight foods for backpacking. It's chuck full of great information and he even whipped up a downloadable excel sheet of what kind of foods are great for bugging out ( watch?v=gbmQRmuv88c )
Tactical Rifleman >> Chris >> i love the way you guys went thru this bag it is the BEST ONE i have ever gone thru here on you tube . very no nonsense clear explanation on everything and a very nice break down of the bag and everything over all. God Bless You two and everyone you work with for and on these videos .
Thanks for watching, TR
Great eye 👁 opener! 👍🏽
Bro’s ,I’m way more prepared than that guy and I don’t follow any forums and my rock is sick, my level of confidence now is very high.
Thank you for the information.
Tactical for sure! Great job Chris, Russel, and Karl!👍👍
I know he said Vaseline and im sure that works but i would recommend Body Glide to anyone making a bug out or get home bag that stuff prevents chafing like nobody’s business. BSN Leukotape tape is great for hot spots on ur feet too it’s tough as nails
Line the bag with the garbage bags. Cheap & easy waterproofer, plus a whistle in case
Great video Karl. Very informative!
Great to see Chris!!!
Hey Russ!!
Going Home is one of those series you need to read multiple times!
As far as Meds. When you get refills, call ahead a week before your out. After some time you will have a stock pile.
Outstanding info with logic on necessity and weight reduction
Gorilla tape can replace steri strips, bandaids, and gauze tape. Plus its a fire starter and 100 other things that comprise the 10c's of survival.
Can never have enough gorilla tape
loved his books I started reading them at the first release I was so mad at what happened to Thad in the books. Great stuff love this collaboration
This was helpful. As someone who was in the woods with Boy Scouts. I once had to share a sleeping bag at 33 degree F in the rain due to a buddy without a plastic wrap on the sleep gear. Cold
I love those books. I’ve read the whole set. Amazing and extremely detailed and informative as well as entertaining.
Awesome video and I will have to check out that series I always carry a book with me in my kit it's a way to relax the mind from stress
Love the “Home” books!
Glad you like them!
Lesson in “Bugging Out” First thing I learned was that a one hour get-out time is barely workable and we are going to try and improve on that Second; moving 12,000 rds in a hurry is not workable. I have got to improve on this one. Third; Food and water purification took its toll as well. But the main lesson learned was “you’ve got to try it in order to find the holes in the system”! I Never truly understood the complexity of what it would take until now. Just sharing lessons learned.
Thanks James
@@TacticalRifleman I've got a MOLLE Bag myself only difference mine's more of Medium Sized OD (Olive Drab) Wilderness Green that I'm using more as a Urban Wilderness Preparedness Survival Bag inside-out with Multicolor Foliage Green (Olive Drab-Gray) exterior loadout that has Foliage Green/Wolf Gray/Grey MOLLE Pouches attached, OD (Olive Drab) Wilderness Green MOLLE Pouches attached as well as little bit Camouflage MOLLE Pouches attached that have Foliage like Gray/Grey & OD (Olive Drab) Wilderness like Green all in 1 Pattern!
Another great video. Very informative.
Great video and thank you Karl. I'm no fan of freeze dried food though - no calories, lots of salt, takes preparation. I prefer old fashioned home made pemmican or like you have, Daytrex bars. Heck even peanuts will work in a pinch. The stove is for hot coffee or tea or to just warm up a little. Race Dragon instead of the Armalite. I use a four layered system. EDC, ScotEVest with 2nd line gear, fishing vest (Summer) or down hunting vest (Winter)with 3rd layer gear, then the backpack. My load is distributed much better and much more accessible for chores/emergencies and I'm more mobile if I have to ditch the pack (Kelty Red Wing 3100)
Loved the Home series, great vid very helpful to folks squaring away there gear
Karl, you guys are endless on GREAT info!! Thanks!!!
I was one of those screaming moar book on the survival forum years ago. Still kicking myself for not getting a signed hardback copy of the first book. Great series that will really make you think especially with all the national and international events going on now
There's a lot to be learned from long distance thru-hikers as well IMHO. They literally walk all day for months with a pack on. There's a reason that they don't do pack "shakedowns" at major trailheads; EVERYONE believes they need to pack every ounce of crap that they have stuffed into their pack at that point in their journey. And nothing you say will change their mind. Several days into the "major" thru-hiker trails, is where they'll have their first shakedown from a pro outfitter/experienced thru-hiker. At this point, most are begging and ready to listen to the expert advice being given by people who have previously completed the multi-state walk that they're just beginning. The old saying: "ounces equal pounds, and pounds equal pain." - they will truly understand now. Four bandanas, two wash clothes, and a pot holder could easily be paired down to just two bandanas. Excessive knives, tools, ammo, etc. you'll be ready to ditch too.
I may have missed it, but I didn't see a water filter? I'd add a filter or drops for sure if you don't already have something. Boiling water every time you need to fill your canteen isn't practical at all.
Some good kit in this bag for sure, but lots of opportunities to reduce weight/bulk/excessive redundancies also. Getting a gear shakedown is always a lesson in humility for me, but someone else saying it out loud really drives home the ridiculousness of some of the items that end up inside your pack!
long distance thru-hikers are about hiking, NOT survival in an extreme scenario. The go carefully planned routes, with camp sites and fire pits and marked water spots. They can be light because they know what's ahead.
Fun change of pace and loved the book series. For me, depending on the season bug repellent is a must. Wipes too...monkey butt is to be avoided.
Great vid. Like the honest review of the pac and deff agree need to drop weight. I've put my bags on a diet. Prep On T
Clippers for toenails, not just fingers. Out in the woods walking for a long period, cut the nails, or they cut your socks.
If I may add, I just would like to say that if one has to choose between carrying toenail clippers or fingernail clippers, go with toenail clippers. You can use it on both on your toenails and on your fingernails.
This sure as hell seems like a luxury to me. He has 2 multi tools, a pair if scissors, and FIVE knives.
I cut ALL my nails with whatever knife is closest.
I know that's weird, but it's super feasible.
I have found that Orajel with 20% benzocaine works great for blisters, bee stings, bug bits, cuts and things like that. Might be worth adding to a med kit. Keep up the great work.
Clove Essential Oil for toothache.
Oregano Essential Oil (diluted) for all cuts, skin, AND gargle with. Even drink it to help kill internal bugs.
I like this type of video content. Makes you really think it through . Who else will repack their bag this weekend ?
Great and Interesting Video
I switches to a Jacket (Smock) with all my stuff ( like a First Line Kit )
Have nice Weekend TR Family 🤙
An easy way to drop weight is to go with a "Yukon-pack" (pack your stuff in your tarp/poncho and tie it up with some of your cordage) - only thing to add weight to your actual stuff are the shoulder straps and a padded waist belt. A quality backpack easily adds 5-8 lbs with no other use than to contain everything and carry it around. A tourniquet is the silliest thing to put into an emergency/bug out/get home/survival kit - you need to get to a surgery within 90 min or you will loose the limb - and is easily replaceable by some paracord and a stick. I'm missing a big clear plastic drop-cloth to turn your shelter into a Mors Kochanski's "super-shelter" - and a whistle.
Stay safe guys
There's a storm coming and the weatherman is telling us to prepare" great video thanks for the info 👍
Yeah there is! Its funny his book "Cry Havoc" and "Going Home" are seemingly coming to true, Sudden talks of sola flares, countries expanding nuclear arsenals, cryptocurrency and current LE and civil dynamics all over the world oh and racial stuffs too arent looking too hot...
@@JeungFats Only going to get worse I'm afraid.
Tetracyclines like Doxycycline don't become toxic with age.
Additionally, the Shelf Life Extension study found they retained potency for years after the expiration date.
Advice. Nothing military look. Get in shape. Less weight. Get light weight bag but good volumen. Thanks guys. I am steel learning. Something to cut a wire fence. Good head protection.
as far as the tarp goes, invest in a Sil-Nylon tarp. I don't bother with tent stakes as I can make my own on the fly. I do carry a small traps, snares, fishing kit for when I find a nice place to rest up for a couple of days. As to hunting, I go the opportunistic approach, as to actively hunt, just to hunt burns a lot of calories.
Good set of gloves
Awesome video! I love A. American books too! I hope to see more videos like this in the future. Maybe a gear dump video for women's GHB BOB kits? That would be awesome!
That's a great idea! I’ll add it to the video idea list. Thanks for watching, TR