BOB's for Kids?

[Unglaubliche]

My oldest is just starting to get to the age where I could see her being able to haul a BOB, should the need arise. Any recommendations for a good brand/style of bag that would be appropriate for a child ranging from 5-12yo?

Secondly, does anyone use their child's school bag as the child's BOB? I was considering, in the hopes of being economical, keeping all the emergency items bagged separately in heavy duty ziplocks, tossing them in the school bag, should the need arise. Thoughts?

Thank you!

 

[Brent S]

I think having bags for anyone able to carry something is probably a good idea. Everyone has their own ideas as what is most important to put in them, just let common sense be your guide. I’m 56yrs old and am not carrying a load of camping gear anymore. Light weight is my main focus now. Supplies to keep hydrated, fed and secure are my main priorities. Weather in your area is worth considering when making decisions too.

 

[KateMTx]

I have put together bags for my younger siblings - getting them involved in the process, of course, so they know what everything is and why it should be included. The youngest two are still pre-teen, so it is pretty basic at this point. I have tried to teach them some prepping principles and it seems to be working, and my parents are open to the idea as well and have even bought supplies, especially around hurricane season. They younger ones are a lot more receptive to the idea than my older brother and get excited about learning new things. I think a putting together a basic BOB just for them is a good way to get them started on prepping.

 

[GaRp58]

BOB for everybody! Even the dog can carry a bit of his own food in a small saddle. My kids were already learning to read the stars and find the north star with Casseopia or the Big Dipper when they were about 7-8 yrs old. My granddaughter went with me regularly to survival camps to learn archery, trapping, fishing, BB gun and slingshot shooting and making fire with all kinds of things.
It may be that the childrens BOB should also have a few things to keep them busy if living in a bunker, BOL, BOV or such. It will get boring very fast. Light, easy to carry, dry and not so big that maybe the parents would have to carry it themselves after a while to give the younger ones a break. GP

 

[BillMasen]

Agree with the above, each family member must have a kit for their own specific needs, even if if they are unable to carry it they still need a kit of THEIR essentials.

 

[JackDW]

I am now 67yo (soon to be 68). A 'bug out' is not in the cards for me and my wife. I will work with my neighbors to secure our little patch of turf as well as possible. If there are any younger folks around that feel to need to "bug out" then I well help all I can and they are welcome to whatever prep that I can help them with, in 'bugging out'.

I am saying this with a little caveat, this will be after I retire in June. As of now, wifey is living on the other side of the state (NC) getting our retirement house updated. If something happens between now and the time I move to that house, then I will be 'bugging out' to my other house. Depending upon the nature of the crisis, we may stay at "her" house or if the situation calls for it, move back to "my" house. If, for now, I find I have to bug out, it will not be a simple BOB. I will load up the truck with all food, paper supplies, etc that I can before hitting the road. I suspect that I can have it all loaded and on the road in about 5 minutes. If not possible, I have enough resources in my truck to just GO. Again, this plan is just temporary until I retire, them there will be no bugging out.

 

[BillMasen]

I am now 67yo (soon to be 68). A 'bug out' is not in the cards for me and my wife. I will work with my neighbors to secure our little patch of turf as well as possible. If there are any younger folks around that feel to need to "bug out" then I well help all I can and they are welcome to whatever prep that I can help them with, in 'bugging out'.

I am saying this with a little caveat, this will be after I retire in June. As of now, wifey is living on the other side of the state (NC) getting our retirement house updated. If something happens between now and the time I move to that house, then I will be 'bugging out' to my other house. Depending upon the nature of the crisis, we may stay at "her" house or if the situation calls for it, move back to "my" house. If, for now, I find I have to bug out, it will not be a simple BOB. I will load up the truck with all food, paper supplies, etc that I can before hitting the road. I suspect that I can have it all loaded and on the road in about 5 minutes. If not possible, I have enough resources in my truck to just GO. Again, this plan is just temporary until I retire, them there will be no bugging out.

Jack if you dont need a Bug Out Bag then you do need a Bug In Bag to help you get home if TSHTF whilst you and your wife are away from home. I'm 63, wife is 60 plus two 20 year olds, we all have Get Home Bags because we all work over 20 miles from our home.

 

[Brent S]

Even though my main focus is on bugging in, I think a bug out bag is a good idea. You never know what life is going to throw at you.

 

[BillMasen]

You should'nt focus on only one threat, we should all sttive to be broad spectrum preppers but with an emphisis on the greater threat you personally percieve, Remember those Californian coastal home owners who lived in fear of raging wildfires, so they cleared all the foliage away from around their hillside homes. Only for torrential rain storms to trigger mudslides that wiped their homes out , because there was no tree and shrub roots to bind the soil.. Most of us want to survive at home but we must at least consider we may be driven out.

 

[lonewolf]

always thought prepping should be all encompassing, including all threats not just the obvious ones.
never could understand folk that prep for some things and then stop, don't consider any threats other than the most obvious ones.

 

[GaRp58]

PREPPING is an all encompassing and non-stop state of mind. Not just the buying and storage of "THINGS". The house could be robbed any time. Your car could stop anywhere. Your children could become sick in the middle of a hurricane/tornado. The neighbors house could start burning. The internet could crash and your cards are useless, even cash cannot be taken if the electronics at the store die. YOU could die and leave the family alone, are they trained, can they hunt/shoot/fish/trap/fire/chopwood, fix things? Your prepping is for any second, any day, any fire/earthquake/robbery/first aid emergency...Your mind is your best tool and safest storage place for info and training. Your backup plan-B must be also survivable. Those who think they can survive with a BOB, need to take it out for a minimum of a month, see if the tarp is enough housing, if the few hooks are enough for fishing, the knife can take a beating, if the ammo is enough, first aid needs, clothing and food????You can only do that which you have not just trained for, but have really DONE: experience is all, theory is just a start without proof. Live free. GP