Tag Archives: bug out bag

The Italian Military Has a Bad Ass Bug Out Bag – You Can Get One Too

Posted on February 28, 2011 by Modern Survival| 17 Comments

Special Update – Old Grouch Emailed me about 24 hours after I uploaded the video.  You guys must really have liked the review because he just sold out of these bags.  Make sure to join his facebook page and/or mailing list and he will be announcing when more come in.

I have been looking for a truly modular, high capacity, rugged, well planned, water resistant and above all comfortable to hump bag for a long time.

It turns out that the Italian military has been building the perfect bag for their troops for many years now and they are now available on the surplus market.

Old Grouch at Old Grouch’s Military Surplus sent me one these Italian Military Alpine Rucksacks to review, check out the video below for my thoughts on it.

You can find these Rucksacks at http://store.oldgrouch.biz/itmialru.html

These are real Italian military issue packs, used but in great condition. The Italian military drew upon the countries long history of alpine exploration and excellent outdoor industry when they designed and made this pack.

Very light at just 4.5 pounds, the main compartment measures 14″x7″x28″, and the side compartments are 6.5″x4″x15″ each.   These have lots of extra straps for lashing gear to the outside which is one of my favorite features, a bonus top compartment on the top flap, sturdy plastic frame, and great padded straps.  The assault packs which can be broken off and run independently really increase the adaptabality of these packs both for trail use (think overnight gear and day pack) or as a BOB (think all your stuff and daily or often used gear).

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Episode-290- An Interview with John McCann

Posted on October 5, 2009 by Modern Survival| 4 Comments
Episode-290- An Interview with John McCann [ 44:16 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Today on The Survival Podcast I have the privilege of interviewing John McCann, owner of Survival Resources and the author of, “Build the Perfect Survival Kit”.  John has appeared on the Martha Stewart Show and been published in the New York Times.

John has a long history in the survival industry and you talk to him and read his work you quickly realize that he really loves what he does for a living.  He has spent years in the bush out of a pure passion for the outdoors and over those years experimented with various components, configuration and construction techniques for making survival kits.  He continues to this day to refine the process and personally train students.

Resources for today’s show…

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show.

You also now can call in questions or comments for the host at 866-65-THINK, (866-658-4465) please read the suggestions for calling in before you do for the best chance of getting your comments on the air.

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Episode-289- Bug In or Bug Out – 12 Questions to Ask

Posted on October 2, 2009 by Modern Survival| 3 Comments
Episode-289- Bug In or Bug Out - 12 Questions to Ask [ 46:51 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In the event of a disaster should you bug in or bug out (shelter in place or evacuate) is a big topic in many forums, email lists and among modern survivalists in general.  There are times when the question is easy to answer and times when it can be difficult.  The key is your life and the lives of those you love can hang in the balance of this decision so today we discuss 12 question to ask before you have to make the decision.

Tune in today as we consider the following questions…

  • Which choice gives you the best chance of survival for the scenario at hand? (this is not always clear)
  • How well prepared are you to bug in?
  • What exactly are you prepared for? (a forest fire is far different from local rioting)
  • Have evacuation orders been given?
  • What is the nature and probable duration of the threat?
  • Well staying put change anything as far as “saving your home”?
  • Where will you go and how will you get there?
  • Do you own a bug out location or have double up plans or no place to go at all?
  • Will you be able to help your community if you stay?
  • What will the impact of staying or going be on your family, can they handle what you can?
  • What can you take with you and what must you leave behind?
  • If you leave what exactly is waiting for you at your destination?

The time to answer these questions is not in the middle of a disaster but right now.  At this point you can plan, form contingencies and be prepared for a variety of outcomes. That way if the day comes your mind is ready to act and you can make the best use of the resources you have.  As always how you act and how you think is more important then your resources.

Resources for today’s show…

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show.

You also now can call in questions or comments for the host at 866-65-THINK, (866-658-4465) please read the suggestions for calling in before you do for the best chance of getting your comments on the air.

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Episode-214- Survival Podcast Audience Questions 6-05-09

Posted on June 5, 2009 by Modern Survival| 12 Comments
Episode-214- Survival Podcast Audience Questions 6-05-09 [ 56:51 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

We are continuing a series of listener questions today.   Since it was done from the “mobile studio” there are no call ins or anything.  These are all questions sent in by email, asked in comments, asked on the survival forum, etc.

I would like to continue doing this type of show often so if you want to have a question answered send me an email to jack@thesurvivalpodcast.com with the subject line “question for Jack”

Tune in to hear me answer these questions today…

  • Are there advantages to bugging in for surburbanites?
  • What is a cheap way to get into a BOL?
  • Is there a real threat of global government with no foil hats required?
  • Would Texas leave the union if  we signed up for a real global government?
  • What does the “carbon tax” have to do with global government?
  • What are some good options for “natural fencing” that produce food?  (note – I forgot to mention clumping bamboo)
  • If you have made 50% gains on the market this year should you pull out now?
  • Are we looking at a “dead cat bounce” in the stock market?
  • Can you make a useful back up solar system for say 200 bucks?
  • If you miss your planting window is it still a good idea to build beds for next year, this year?
  • What are common mistakes first time buyers make with real estate -land-residential-BOL?
  • How does a bug out bag help you even if times don’t get tough?

Resources for Today’s Show

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show.

You also now can call in questions or comments for the host at 866-65-THINK, (866-658-4465) please read the suggestions for calling in before you do for the best chance of getting your comments on the air.

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Episode-180- Survival Podcast Listener Calls 4-15-09

Posted on April 15, 2009 by Modern Survival| 7 Comments
Episode-180- Survival Podcast Listener Calls 4-15-09 [ 38:02 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Join me today as I take calls from the audience on a variety of questions.  Enjoy the enhanced audio today as I will be back podcasting from the car tomorrow.

Tune in to hear…

  • What should you do with your tax return?  Spend it to stimulate the economy or save it?
  • What about emergency kits?   How do you create one, what goes in them?
  • How do you plan multiple routes out of your city and what about new features from Google maps?
  • When and how do you plant in areas with long cold winters like Wyoming?
  • What steps do you take when you travel long distance by air to be as prepared as possible for a SHTF when far from home, family and friend?
  • Can old pancake mix be dangerous?  The answer may surprise you.
  • What is top priority?  Debt reduction?  Prepping?  Or saving cash?
  • Can you capture and domesticate wild bees?  Should you?
  • What should you do to get started saving seeds?

Resources for this podcast,

Daily House Cleaning Items

Resource Links for Today’s Show

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show.

You also now can call in questions or comments for the host at 866-65-THINK, (866-658-4465) please read the suggestions for calling in before you do for the best chance of getting your comments on the air.

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Episode-179- The Bug Out Bag

Posted on April 14, 2009 by Modern Survival| 33 Comments
Episode-179- The Bug Out Bag [ 49:30 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Today’s podcast covers putting together a bug out bag (BOB), also known as the 72 hour kit or three day survival bag.  In today’s show we cover things like what goes in a BOB, what type of bag is best to use, the purpose of a bug out kit and more.

Today we discuss,

  • The purpose of a 72 Hour Kit – getting to safety not spending three days at home.
  • Ideas for food items that keep you nourished on the go and are easy to obtain
  • The advantages of a “back pack” over a duffel bag
  • Ideas for wet weather and sleeping gear
  • My view of what makes a good survival knife
  • Rechargeable lighting options
  • Making sure you have the ability to purify water
  • The value of maps, a gps and a compass
  • Why a poncho is not a good wet weather gear option
  • Ideas to save space and weight
  • Various “hard gear” equipment options
  • Methods of self defense that won’t be confiscated by authorities during a disaster
  • The value of a simple small tool kit

The list presented in the podcast is by no means complete. If you have ideas and suggestions please leave them in the comments below.

Resources for this podcast,

Daily House Cleaning Items

On Survival Gear and Options

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show.

You also now can call in questions or comments for the host at 866-65-THINK, (866-658-4465) please read the suggestions for calling in before you do for the best chance of getting your comments on the air.

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Episode-151- Finding The Time To Prep

Posted on March 2, 2009 by Modern Survival| 5 Comments
Episode-151- Finding The Time To Prep [ 41:26 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Honestly I get a question similar to this at least once a day, “Jack, how in the world do you find the time and resources to do all of these things?”.  So today I decided to discuss that subject because indeed prepping can seem over whelming at times.

Tune in today to hear…

  • You always get the things done that you see as being the most important
  • The false sense of security from “perceived abundance”
  • Food stored is better then money in the bank
  • The incremental approach to food storage
  • 1 meal a month from your preps will teach you where your holes are
  • The lesson of the ant, he didn’t store everything for winter in one day
  • Why your construction projects are important beyond their immediate results
  • Finding time to garden is easy if you just do a very little each day
  • Making time to exercise, just take a walk
  • Why preppers are building up their assets while most of America is building up debt
  • Finish one project before you start the next
  • Three items that should be in your car today, right now, get on it
  • Slowing building up your bug out bag and bug out vehicles
  • Understand how long you worked at being unprepared, you can’t correct it overnight
  • The importance of planning
  • A cool way to automate watering, very low tech but very effective
  • Including education and awareness in your prepping

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon.   Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show.

You also now can call in questions or comments for the host at 866-65-THINK, please read the suggestions for calling in before you do for the best chance of getting your comments on the air.

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Episode-148- Bug Out Planning and Documentation

Posted on February 25, 2009 by Modern Survival| 4 Comments
Episode-148- Bug Out Planning and Documentation [ 48:26 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Today’s show covers the formalized planning and documentation process I have personally developed to handle any situation where bugging out is required.  This plan is designed to keep decision making logical and get family members in touch with each other and to rally points on the way to your Bug Out Location should the ability to rally at home firt be compromised.

Tune in today to hear…

  • Planning your initiaion sequence and requirements
  • Setting up and utilizing means of communicaiton during a bug out
  • Know where to go – 3 locations – 3 routes and for both long distance and short distance
  • Procedures for arrival and waiting and departing rally points
  • The need for full documentation including maps, plans and contact data
  • Why your data must be “uniform”
  • Basic op sec for your data, with out paranoia
  • Multiple routes for all BOLs and Rally Points
  • Grab and Get lists beyond your basic kit (short and long)
  • Chane of Command – Group Hierarchy for Civilians
  • Planning for Pet Evacuations and the Doggy Bug Out Bag

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon.   Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show.

You also now can call in questions or comments for the host at 866-65-THINK, please read the suggestions for calling in before you do for the best chance of getting your comments on the air.

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Episode-124- Overlooked Items for the Bug Out Bag

Posted on January 16, 2009 by Modern Survival| 4 Comments
Episode-124- Overlooked Items for the Bug Out Bag [ 37:12 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Today’s show will not be an exhuasting inventory of what I keep in my bug out bag or even what you should keep in yours.  Instead we will cover a few often over looked and ignored items that you may want to consider adding to your 72 hour emergency kit.

Tune in today to hear…

  • The origin of the orginal concept of a bug out bag (at least according to online forums)
  • Understanding bug out vs. battle pack or even survival kit
  • The most over looked item in a bug out bag documentation, procedure and contact documentation
  • The GPS, why many choose not to include one, why that choice is a mistake
  • The good old fashioned compass, do you have one, if not why
  • Why a written plan is a good idea, the psychology of crisis and how it effects you
  • Both maintenance and OTC meds are a good idea, don’t leave them out
  • A trick with benadryl that can help with toothache or mouth injuries
  • A simple bug out bag drill to evaluate what you might be missing
  • Thoughts on what makes good bag for your bug out kit
  • Thoughts on back up solar charging and additional methods of communications

Resources for Today’s Show

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Episode-27- Equipping the Survival Vehicle Beyond the Bug Out Bag

Posted on July 31, 2008 by Modern Survival| 3 Comments
Episode-27- Equipping the Survival Vehicle Beyond the Bug Out Bag [ 36:43 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Join in on today’s show where we go “beyond the bug out bag” and cover the items and mind set to make your vehicle ready for both everyday and extraordinary emergencies.

Please note – That this podcast is a companion to our podcast on putting together a Bug Out Bag and only mentions items that should be kept in a vehicle in addition to those you keep in the typical 72 Hour Emergency Kit AKA The Bug Out Bag. Hence the list is not complete by itself. Please though do feel encouraged to mention additional items and ideas in the comments section.

Today we discuss,

  • The need for reserves of food and water in a vehicle beyond what is practical to carry on foot
  • How carrying simple additional parts like hoses and belts can save you untold grief
  • Equipping your vehicle with a complete set of tools
  • Focusing on increasing your options in any situation
  • Carrying reserve fuel and thinking in miles, not in gallons
  • Making changes based on your personal level of alert
  • Planning and documenting routes and keeping good navigational aids in your car or truck
  • Leaving planned routes behind for emergency responders in some situation
  • Blending in to your surroundings
  • Thoughts on survival firearms and security issues
  • The real risk of government seizure of firearms in some emergency situations and what it means to you
  • Ideas for additional defensive weapons beyond a gun
  • Ideas for communications devices including back up cell phones or two way radios
  • Practical simple things like a AAA Membership and keeping a vehicle well maintained
  • The importance of blending in vs. standing out – Forget the Camo!

Remember to comment and if you haven’t done so yet help us grow our listener base by entering our listener appreciation contest.

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