ArizonaShooting.com

Looks good. Throw in a packet or 2 of Celox. Cav arms sells them.

Thanks for the Tip I have been looking for something like this for the bag and for other situations.

Some very good comments from Fishoid!

Anthony, I think you have done a great job with your bag! I too am of the rationale "Better to have and not need, than need and not have". Seems what some people might be overlooking in most of the GHB, GOOD, BOB threads is what you may have touched on, which is a different kind of inventory control than what others are used to. You are in control of your inventory, and based on the set of circumstances presented to you at the time of any particular situation, you may decide to reduce your inventory, but until that moment gets to you, you reserve the right to have more gear and choices to make to fit your particular situation. A black 50 gallon trash bag is great to put the "Leave behinds" in... funny how people assume a trash bag has trash in it... Removing a few items can make a BOB a situation tailored GHB in a hurry.

Yeah. Your truck breaks down in an otherwise non-SHTF scenario. Having a rifle is a good thing....you'll be sure to get the attention of Law Enforcement, who can probably give you a ride somewhere. LOL

It appears that many folks look at this bag as something that will be used IF you're away from home AT THE TIME society becomes unglued. If that happens, having a long gun could be useful. But it will also draw attention. That might be good or bad...bad in that someone wants your rifle so they decide you're a target and kill you with one of their rifles. Good because it lets people know you're not an easy mark.

But what are the odd that when your truck breaks down, it will NOT be an end-of-the-world scenario?

Very good points guys. Before I made this bag I looked at every BOB and GHB posted on this site and read links that others like Tim have posted. I like the idea of a trash bag to ditch some items if need be. Some items that are in my bag I might not need at all, but it seems like with the exception of the ammo or water the rest does not weigh much and might make a difference of a pound or so, which none of us will notice on our backs.

The cool thing Tim about my particular gun (when I get it back it's on a form 4) is that it if I want to I can leave it packed up. It's an AK Draco (with a straight receiver and straight sights) and it will have an under folding stock so it is only about 21 inches long if I remember correctly, and can fit into the backpack or I have an old tent bag I put it in so you can't tell what it is on the pack.

I am not too particularly worried about my vehicles breaking down but it could happen. I have Toyota's But I guess it is possible. And if I am in my truck I am most likely camping or away from civilization shooting or four wheeling so this bag is good for that as well. Plus I keep a lot of items in my truck. I will post that some time as well.

Fishoid definitely has some great points. When I make my short range bag it will be a lot like what he is describing. I will use it for shorter range probably 15 miles or less, most likely will only carry my pistol, and I am hoping to keep the weight around 25 pounds including water which will be some canteens equaling 1 gallon of water. If I do carry a primary weapon as well then it will be an SBS with about 20-25 shells, so not a whole lot of weight there, but a bit larger at 23 inches long with the stock folded.

I just went for a jog/walk cause my fat ass is trying to get in shape and I am guessing water would go quick in this heat. I was outside doing my jog/walk for just over 20 minutes and i was pouring with sweat lol.

I have to respectfully disagree with your rule of 3 though. Water as you mentioned. I am guessing you could go one day maybe a day and a half without water if you stayed still for the most part, and maybe moved at night only. I have seen people go without food for more than 10 days and they could not even walk or talk coherently and they were just sitting in a room the whole time.

One thing all of us should do is test out our bag. I have gone on a couple of small hikes (to get in shape) with mine in the Superstitions, and around where I live cause there is plenty of desert lol. The weight for me was no issue, and I even jogged a couple times for about 100 yards. A test I will do but have not done yet is try to get home from a farther distance and try and live with what is in the bag and stay out for a night or two. This will give us a good idea of what you might need to add or take away from our bags.

If anyone would like to try this sometime let me know because I know I will try it out.

Anthony, et al,

This is a great discussion, and all are making some really good points. I agree with Bill M. too that leaving behind is a lot easier than wishing you brought it with you in the first place. I like the black garbage bag idea too. Maybe you can come back and get your gear later under more favorable conditions.

As for the test walk, I’ve tried it a few times over the years. Most recently I did a nine mile walk across town. Started out at Scottsdale and Mountain View and headed to Greenway and Cave Creek. Walked along Sweetwater for the east west part and tried to stick to neighborhoods otherwise for the north-south part (e.g. not a main road, so had more shade from trees, etc., and a LOT less cars to listen too). Also had a couple parks I passed by (for a rest and wash up in the public bathroom). Did it late May early June, so pretty hot out too, and during daylight afternoon hours (started around 11:00 AM, and finished in three or four hours). It’s all flat ground, and easy walking, but what a ball buster! I’m no pinnacle of physical readiness, but I’m no couch potato either (spend more time in the office behind a computer than the field in other words). I had no pack, just shorts, t-shirt, good trail shoes, ball cap and I carried a water bottle (filling it up at a bunch of places along the way). In no way did it kill me, but I did feel it by the time I got home. It’s also a good way to keep a meter on where you are physically. I think there is a big difference between working out in the gym, and actually getting from point A to B. Short of actually doing it, you really just don’t know where you are at. Me, right now, I can probably go 20 miles without causing injury, and that is WITH support (water\rest stops along the way). One scary thing is I was easily 10 miles over that limit when I was out in Gilbert yesterday. This is a really big city (for those of us who live in metro Phoenix).

I’d be really interested in hearing others stories about walks across town\tests of GHB, etc.

Something to consider for food that can supposedly be stored in higher temps/longer durations (ie: AZ vehicle trunk) might be:

http://www.datrex.com/index.php?page=sh ... &Itemid=19

Mainstay also makes basically the same thing. They're meant to be stuffed away in lifeboats on bigger ships for emergency use. I'm not sure preceisly how long adn at what temps they would be good for here in AZ, but I'd wager that they'll last longer than just about anything else.

Well, for some people.................

I would recommend keeping a few "Keep Back 500 Feet" signs in the bag as well.

You aren't gonna cut him any slack are you?

I wouldn't either.

Flash

One sign should probably do the trick lol. I know if it was a SHTF situation I would want to stay as far away from everyone else as humanly possible.

There are some I stay away from just on general principle and it doesn't have to be a SHTF situation.

This is a start.

I am impressed with what you have. Mine is so not as good as yours. Im working on it and this helps. thanks buddy

Glad this helps, one of the main reasons I posted it. I put a lot of thought into this. This is great for long distance. Next week I am going to the Payson area and I will have this. Remember you can always take things out that you don't need if a situation arises but you can't add anything that you don't have with you. If you are mainly looking for a bag to go to the store and work, then you can make a smaller one. My smaller one is almost ready and I will post that soon as well.

LOL Tim too funny.