Bug Out Bagz Bill Burke edition - a close up look

[Brian McVickers]

I'd toss the pocket mask to save space; AHA is pushing CPR w/o ventilations now. If you want to do the ventilations, there are more compact barrier devices that will work in an emergency (Google keychain pocket mask).

All good thoughts on making additions to a bag, however I want to point out one thing I believe to be important. From what I understand, as conveyed to me by the Wilderness Medical Institute, the AHA is pushing CPR w/o ventilations for the general untrained public in urban settings where EMS is less than 3 or 4 minutes away. Studies found that most people did not know the proper number of ventilations to give or they did not have proper technique for establishing the airway or they just plain old blew too hard and induced vomiting, so rather than making it too complicated the AHA finds that chest compressions alone for the time it takes for help to arrive in an urban setting are sufficient to circulate the still-somewhat-oxygenated-blood through the system.

Anywhere you may need a ditch bag EMS is most likely more than 3 or 4 minutes away.

The fold up pocket style is fine too but if you have the space the inflatable mask offers a more comfortable and cleaner solution as well as having the capability of hooking into a bag if you have one.

Brian

 

[Brian McVickers]

With all the stuff you added or replaced do you think it would have been less expensive to start from scratch? Yes, you get a neat bag with a logo but what really matters is inside. Not being critical, just thinking outloud.
Jason T.

I actually added very little to this bag setup.
Essentially just some food (MRE and Water filtration) and communication equipment (Dual Band HT and the smoke signal).

On top of that I'll add that I'm really impressed with the backpack itself. It is just as comfortable if not more than some of the $100+ bags I have had.

Brian

 

[Brian McVickers]

Nice find, Brian. For shelter, consider a space blanket, the reuseable kind. I've got one in my ditch bag and find myself pulling it out more often than I would have guessed. That and some paracord and you can keep yourself dry and warmer, if need be. And I've gone with the firestick-and-dryer-lint plan for firestarting. And consider adding a sam splint to your medical kit.

No kidding your right, the only way I have of making fire in that kit are some matches! I have another small emergency kit that I put together for backpacking, mountain biking or moto riding and my flint steel went into that one, I had forgotten.

Need to get another, thanks!

 

[robert]

All good thoughts on making additions to a bag, however I want to point out one thing I believe to be important. From what I understand, as conveyed to me by the Wilderness Medical Institute, the AHA is pushing CPR w/o ventilations for the general untrained public in urban settings where EMS is less than 3 or 4 minutes away. Studies found that most people did not know the proper number of ventilations to give or they did not have proper technique for establishing the airway or they just plain old blew too hard and induced vomiting, so rather than making it too complicated the AHA finds that chest compressions alone for the time it takes for help to arrive in an urban setting are sufficient to circulate the still-somewhat-oxygenated-blood through the system.

Anywhere you may need a ditch bag EMS is most likely more than 3 or 4 minutes away.

The fold up pocket style is fine too but if you have the space the inflatable mask offers a more comfortable and cleaner solution as well as having the capability of hooking into a bag if you have one.

Brian

All good points, and I keep a mask in my first aid bags (one in each vehicle), but a bug out bag/get home bag is another story in mind anyways.

<-- Remote duty paramedic

 

[RHINO]

a great look at the bag and contents,,, and a good look at what you think it needs added to it, it just seems like too much stuff to me.

 

[Brian McVickers]

a great look at the bag and contents,,, and a good look at what you think it needs added to it, it just seems like too much stuff to me.

What would you change?


I know what you are saying for the most part, I don't think it is too much stuff - it is not heavy and actually packs pretty small. Keep in mind that I took some of what is pictured out of the original bag and added some too.

I think the reality of it is that its hard to determine what you actually need without using it. Take the bag out for a night and see how it all works for you, what do you use, what are you missing, what is useless.....

I think these bags are hard to outfit actually. So much of your personal comfort level and skills need to be factored in and that will be different for everyone. A wilderness survival expert probably only needs a pocket knife if anything.

For me I tried to concentrate on water, first aid, shelter, communication and food. My communication gear is probably the most redundant in the bag: dual band radio and solar charger for batteries, smoke signal, signal mirror, bear bell to attach to the bag while hiking to alert anyone nearby of my presence.

 

[RHINO]

the whole survival thing has gotten to be somewhat of a hobby for me, i tend to be minimalistic with it and it wont fit what most think of for safety or comfort, but to be fair, i have pared it down from a much bigger bag through trial and error.

my current kit fits in a bag the size of a small shave kit, really its all in the secondary pocket of my camelback leaving the whole main compartment open for "extras".

for my final test of kit i had my wife drop me off with that camelback full of water, containing a military poncho, katadyn water filter, long sleeve shirt and that small bag. it was tough but i am at ease knowing it works should i ever need it.