"Build the Perfect Bug Out Bag" is a great resource for anyone interested in assembling their first "Bug Out Bag" (BOB) or for those that want to explore additional ideas for an existing BOB. A BOB is a portable emergency kit that contains everything required to keep you alive for at least 72-hours and should be customized for the owner's specific needs. The author, Creek Stewart, is clearly an expert in the survival field and has written this practical and comprehensive guide to ensure that you are prepared if an emergency forces you to leave your house.
The book is laid out very logically, starting with Creek's philosophy behind making a BOB, options on the selection of a backpack to suite your specific needs, and includes chapters covering specific supplies and skills arranged by subcategories, including:
"Water & Hydration" - covers transporting and an in depth look at purification options
"Food & Food Preparation" - how to determine your needs and considerations for your "Cook Kit"
"Clothing" - selection of clothing options, customized to your climate
"Shelter & Bedding" - an excellent chapter that explores sleeping options, particularly important for those that don't have camping experience
"Fire" - perhaps the most important chapter if you find yourself having to actually rough it in the woods
"First Aid" - very good section on the selection of items for a practical first aid kit
"Hygiene" - so very important, covered nicely (but I carry much more toilet paper than recommended)
"Tools" - practical advice in an area where new preppers to go overboard
"Lighting" - required for seeing and signalling, but surprisingly does not mention "night vision" options
"Communications" - this section is about information gathering and retention of personal documents, often overlooked but very important
"Protection & Self Defense" - well thought out section on developing the right mentality and preparing to defend yourself, your loved ones, and your supplies but, as the author points out, it is important to know your local laws
"Miscellaneous Supplies" - important list of items to include in your BOB, including 550 Paracord and the always useful Duct Tape
"Bugging Out With Pets" - a good chapter covering the considerations required if you plan on bringing pets along when bugging out
"BOB Organization & Maintenance" - now that you have all of your "stuff", it needs to be accessible and in usable condition when you need it
"Mental & Physical Preparedness" - perhaps should have been called "Practice Makes Perfect", you need to know that you can carry your BOB and correctly use the contents, before you actually need to in an emergency
"The Bug Out Plan" - covers the need to have a plan, including where you will go and how you will get there
"Bug Out Resources and At-Home Exercises" - a very comprehensive section covering on-line resources for supplies and information, checklists (based on your skill level), ways to keep you skills current, and how to build a reasonably affordable BOB in one trip to a "Big Box" store
I am an experienced prepper and was surprised how much I got out of this book and am fairly sure there was something new or useful to me in each chapter, but especially in the "BOB Organization & Maintenance" section. Here are some additional useful items that are included in my BOB:
*
Eton ARCFRX2WXR Am/fm Weather Radio Solar Noaa - includes hand crank charger for USB powered devices
*
Rothco Type III Commercial Paracord - very handy, very strong, very light
*
Night Owl Optics XGEN 2X Digital Night Vision Monocular - see in the dark with this inexpensive night vision device
*
Special Operations Forces Medical Handbook - better to have and not need than need and not have
This book is the best of it's kind, Highly Recommended!
CFH
Note: I was proved a copy of this book by the author, but that in no way influences my rating or comments.
