Fieldcraft 72 hour loadout

[ptrlcop]

This year I am setting a goal of spending more time outdoors with my gear. I would like to get to a point where I can have a solid 72hr kit that I can carry in my JEEP at all times without being overloaded. Obviously much of this is local and seasonal dependant. So, if you had to live out of a pack for 72hrs (state your local and season) what would you bring? Less is more.

 

[wilwith1l]

I have lived out of 3 day packs on numerous occasions, and what I can tell you is the pack is always mission specific.
If your mission is to survive a freak snow storm that is very different from needing to disappear in an urban environment, also if you plan to be vehicle born or afoot.
Additionally, I am always in the mindset that I only stow things in my vehicle that I don't mind being stolen.

 

[ptrlcop]

I guess I should have been more clear. This is not a fighting kit or a bug out/bug in pack. For the most part my vehicle is in my garage or in a secure PD lot so theft is not a concern, if it is I download my stuff. I keep all my SWAT callout gear staged in my veh. I have 1 bag with a uniform and season appropriate clothing, another with armor/fighting gear, and my rifle case. I want another pack loaded with bare essentials to walk out in the woods, stay 72hrs, and walk out....

So far, here is my rough summer load:
Poncho/liner
Gi goretex bivy
Sleep pad(have not decided which one)
Light weight puffy jacket (either wild things low loft or arctyrx atom lt)
1 pair light marino base layer
1 pair smart wool socks
Water
3 MREs (not the greatest but easy to store)
3 pouches of drained tuna
Compass

Obviously, there ain't much there. Some things ain't on the list because they are in other gear, others were left out because they were comfort items.


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[BoilerUP]

While simple sugars are great for quick energy...are chocolate bars appropriate for a summer pack, where melting is a real issue?

 

[Genin]

Get a good knife (opinions will vary on that) and make sure you can start a fire with what you want to bring. I prefer some petroleum jelly soaked cotton balls and a blast match because it works when wet. However a zippo is always nice as well just make sure you fuel it up before hitting the woods.

 

[Killswitch Engage]

It's 2014 man. There's no need for dog food and Hershey bars. There's better more efficient chow out there to carry.

In fact, why would you not factor chow and a way to prepare it into any "72hr kit" or whatever you may do away from civilization for a period of time? I know if I am going to be under duress, stress or any other multitude of things I want chow. My body requires it. Sure, you can go along time without it and that's all wonderful for any that do but the fact of the matter is you will be much more efficient, clear thinking, strong and mentally healthy if you have something to eat with you. Water is obvious and it is assumed you have already factored that in.

Just my .02

 

[Mike_Honcho]

I see only one item in your pack that could facilitate shelter (but you likely will need a knife and cordage in addition) / I see no means to start a fire / no cordage / no means of treating water (even a small bottle of bleach and a hanky)

Powdered jello is great for short term energy / Something hot to drink can be a real pick me up / A metal cup has a lot of different uses / knife + cordage + fire are like the basics of the basics / a couple of USG 7.5 minute quad maps + triangulation with that compass = knowing where you are at all times.

You already know what you need - shelter / water / food - process that through light weight, sturdy and reliable, adaptable, and available.

Ultra minimum or sky is the limit maximum….



So just grabbing one of my bags and pulling this out - here is a metal cup that has the following:
1 pocket alcohol stove / fuel for 2 cooks in a small plastic bottle with a screw top / 2 Esbit fuel blocks / sandwich bag full of rice / 1 electrolyte drink mix / 2 crystal light drink mixes / 3 tea bags / 4 oz jerky / 6' of duct tape / 6' of 550 cord / lighter / flint and steel / 2 large safety pins / 1 upholstery needle / 12 tabs of ibuprofen. Not to mention the number of things I can do with the cup and the lid.

 

[ptrlcop]

Yea somehow I forgot to add 550 cord. In the summer I feel just fine with the bivy and poncho, no need for a tent.


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[Mike_Honcho]

100% - tarp / poncho / garbage bags / etc + cordage + maybe a structure fashioned in part with a knife.

Like I said - you already know what you need, just put in a manner that works for you.

 

[kraigWY]

Personally I think I can go more the 72 hours without eating dog food but to each is own.

I'd be willing to bet I'm probably the laziest guy on this forum when it comes to going light.

I use to do a lot of ski trips that lasted much longer then 72 hours. Instant oak meal is light and easy to make. There have been few places I go where I cant find something to build a fire with (glaciers and ice fields being the exception). Also never had a problem finding some sort of little critter to eat, rabbits, birds, fish, etc.

But I also like my staples, Coffee, smokes, salt, and bread. I pre-mix biscuits flour and make pan bread. I often don't even carry water.

But for 3 days I can pretty much get by with what I can put in my pockets.

 

[wilwith1l]

I'm out on the dog food.

More power to ya tho...

 

[Bubb]

My wife works for the dept. Ag in PA. There is over site of that type stuff pet foods. DO NOT eat dog food!!! There is stuff in there that could make your survival weekend just that! Don't listen to them, don't do it trust me!!!! I don't give a shit what you did in the past.... STOP!,,,,, it's not worth it! Yes a comfort food, or MRE you might eat, just replace it. Put the dehydrated mountain light food in there. It takes effort to boil water to use it so its no as easy as a candy bar to eat.. I love them. Just don't eat dog food, ever,,,, seriously never!

 

[wilwith1l]

My wife works for the dept. Ag in PA. There is over site of that type stuff pet foods. DO NOT eat dog food!!! There is stuff in there that could make your survival weekend just that! Don't listen to them, don't do it trust me!!!! I don't give a shit what you did in the past.... STOP!,,,,, it's not worth it! Yes a comfort food, or MRE you might eat, just replace it. Put the dehydrated mountain light food in there. It takes effort to boil water to use it so its no as easy as a candy bar to eat.. I love them. Just don't eat dog food, ever,,,, seriously never!

^^^ There were no worries from my part.

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[jrassy]

Beyond the inadequate controls over on dog food manufacturing for human consumption, there is a huge difference between caloric intake of dog food vs cat food. Dog food being mostly carbohydrate vs cat food being protein. Without going much farther I'd say stick with MREs.

 

[rpk762]

Lol Dog food for eating. I have heard for years it should be in a survival pack. I always thought they were joking and it was actually for getting a dog to eat. Who knew.

Dog food processors have much lower standards than food for us.

 

[wilwith1l]

I always thought they were joking and it was actually for getting a dog to eat.

Wait. You thought the plan was to build dog traps? To me, that seems even crazier than eating the dog food.

 

[rpk762]

Wait. You thought the plan was to build dog traps? To me, that seems even crazier than eating the dog food.

I do not know how you were to get the dog. It is survival so who knows what they were actually going on about. Would not be the first time a joke was played on a person.

 

[prez_ebrmc]

I carry a 3 pound big Agnes's tent a two pound sleeping bag. Stove 2 mountain house meals a day a bunch of snacks. Kifaru bikini bag. Puffy jacket. Pad.knife, fire starting. Gatorade bottle

 

[prez_ebrmc]

Sawyer filter

 

[ptrlcop]

Ok, enough about dog food. Where did I say anything about survival? For my stated period of 72hrs I'm pretty sure I could make it with what is in my pockets...

I'm just looking to wander out in the woods for 3days in relative comfort without binging the kitchen sink.

 

[Mudinyeri]

I know I'm a newb here on SH, but I've been teaching personal and corporate preparedness for some time. Start your pack with the Rule of Threes.

1. You can survive for 3 minutes without air or treatment of emergency medical conditions
2. You can survive for 3 hours without shelter in a harsh environment
3. You can survive for 3 days without water
____________________________________________________________________________
4. You can survive for 3 weeks without food
5. You can survive for 3 months without hope

I drew the line under number 3 because the OP asked about a 72 hour bag (3 days). With those basics and an eye toward likely disaster scenarios in your region, you should be able to put together a light but adequate 72 hour pack.

 

[carp]

What, no Medical supplies? Besides the obvious, a little bit of pain can do wonders for morale.

 

[Q-Unit]

I would ditch the Poncho since you have a goretex bivy. A raincoat like a Marmut Precip is smaller, lighter, easier to pack and you are more likely to use it.

Honestly, Ponchos suck. I was sleeping with a poncho liner once when it was in the mid 40s and there was a very light rain. I put on my poncho and woke up a little later wet from condensation. I took the poncho off and was warmer with the light rain because my poncho liner was able to breathe. Since then the poncho has stayed home.

In the summer I only use a poncho liner. I pack a rain coat just in case. In the months where it might rain I pack my bivy and either a poncho liner or a sleeping bag.

Get a groundpad that you can put directly on the ground that has a listed R-value. A good ground pad keeps me warmer than just about anything else.

 

[Fuzynuts]

I know I'm a newb here on SH, but I've been teaching personal and corporate preparedness for some time. Start your pack with the Rule of Threes.

1. You can survive for 3 minutes without air or treatment of emergency medical conditions
2. You can survive for 3 hours without shelter in a harsh environment
3. You can survive for 3 days without water
____________________________________________________________________________
4. You can survive for 3 weeks without food
5. You can survive for 3 months without hope

I drew the line under number 3 because the OP asked about a 72 hour bag (3 days). With those basics and an eye toward likely disaster scenarios in your region, you should be able to put together a light but adequate 72 hour pack.

I would like to see 3 cans of dog food added to the 'rule of 3's'

 

[TheGerman]

Start with a fleshlight and backup batteries and plan around that.

 

[SnkBit]

I work in the rendering industry, DO NOT EAT DOG FOOD. If you had ever seen inside a processing facility this wouldn't even be a discussion. Dumbass.

 

[fastrider777]

.........and no condoms?

 

[Ramius]

I say bring the sister. You don't need a sex pillow with her around.

Batteries? Personal meds. Comfort items ya might consider bug repellant or sulphur/DE to keep bugs at bay.

I pack power bars gel packs -- they are small and last 2-3 years. Chocolate flavor used to taste like dog food anyway.

 

[steeljacket]

Start with a fleshlight and backup batteries and plan around that.

I have too agree with this my dad went out with a supposed good light with batteriy. long story short he spent to night out in the swamp of the Oregon woods not getting lost by holding out in a giant cedar stump. to ad to the fire starting from my own adventures of both planned and stupidity. ( just sayin ) it helps to have at least three different ways to start that wonderful warm fire. now for me this goes usually matches lighter and then a nice magnesium block that with practice I have yet to see fail. I say this because life has a sense of humor and it doesn't ad much too to your load weight. I occasionally like to get fancy with batteries and 000 steel wool. how ever keep it simple and don't for get to have a simple meal with ya.

 

[ChrisBCS]

72 hours firm?

Water and fire.
A blade.
A book.
The stuff between your ears.

This is one thing on this forum I do have real experience in, and in my experience, KraigWY pretty much nailed it.

 

[ckirkc]

to the OP, If you have the GI Gortex Bivy, Know this, that fucking thing is not water proof. If it rains you will be wet and miserable. you need enough cordage to turn that poncho into a hooch, if im bringing 550 cord i bring 50' if i wanted to skimp id bring 25'. if its cold or i think its going to really rain i'll set it up pup tent style drawn tight anchored by aluminum tent stakes. otherwise i'll set it up slanted in one direction. that said, in the end you are just going to have 72 hours worth of shit rolling around in your truck for no reason. Dog food is probably a good idea, one day someone will have a hungry dog and you will absolutely save the day by whipping out a bag of kibble.

 

[DocUSMCRetired]

Learn to eat your mre cold. They really are not that bad. Jello does work for quick energy or learn to make ranger pudding.

Never ever go out without some kind of IFAC. I don't care how you have to make room for it, but have one. You wouldn't believe the kind of injuries I have treated in my life time, and the number of deaths I have seen from such simple injuries. Have a plan for if you are stuck and out of communication to treat yourself. This may one day save your life.

Deet. Keep the bugs off of you. While its rare, cases of lyme disease, yellow fever (which is on the rise big time due to lack of immunity) and other things do come up. Its a simple process to spray your clothes, and keep most of the bugs away. The guy I treated with yellow fever, was miserable with a 103deg fever for almost 4 days.

Since its summer you should have an e-tool. The new ones are much lighter. And one of those drinking straws. The 10$ ones that filter 300 gallons of water. People do get lost. I am not saying you will, or that your navigation skills suck. But people get lost way more often than you think. Experienced people who take a wrong turn, get confused, or even take a nap, wake up and head the wrong direction. It happens a lot, so just be ready for it. A shovel will help you with all kinds of things, and the drinking straw will keep you alive for a couple extra weeks. They don't take up any room.

I know it seems extreme, but we had a handful of deaths every year from experienced outdoors people. Civilians and military alike that would get reported yearly. So be ready for that 72 to turn in to a week. Make sure someone knows your going out, where your start point is, and how long you planned for.

 

[Hairball]

I am different than most, screw the minimalist attitude, I pack for the long haul just in case. Been in a few situations where I did not have enough stuff and while it's one thing to be caught unaware in a situation and make due, if you have the time to put together what you want, no reason you can not be comfortable. All you guys that want to eat dog food, bugs, road apples or whatever is on you. I keep a pack that I put in the truck if I plan on being more than "X" miles away from home because if we have an earthquake, a few downed bridges and you're walking home. While some pack for 3 days, I have enough to last 2 weeks as you never know what is going to happen. You can never have enough personal gear just as you can never have enough medical supplies. Most people's first aid kits alone would not cover one major trauma let alone two.

 

[rdinak]

A winter survival kit for North Dakota or Alaska is very different than the urban kit required for Alabama. Preparing for a natural disaster such as a 3 day blizzard or a tornado is much different than the threat of the zombie hordes. All I can say is my Model 10 will have more than two rounds as opposed to those poor souls on "The Road"

After living through a life changing flood in North Dakota in 1997, Alaska and North Dakota Blizzards, a hurricane down south and other events that defined how powerless man is against nature I learned a little. Forget the bug out bags..lets talk water proof action packers that fit in the poaching box of my Honda Ridgeline. No mall ninja throwing stars......just simple things that you would prefer not to be without. Lets start with wet wipes and work up to clothing. Guns, knives and flashlights are last on the list. However they will be well thought out and included.

 

[kraigWY]

I thought we were talking "72 Hour Load Out".

I've been on 100 mile plus ski trips that lasted 10 - 14 days above the Arctic Circle carrying a lot less stuff that I'm seeing here and was quite comfortable.

Again, I could do quite well for 72 hours with nothing more then I carry in my pocket. That is if I got smokes, got to have my smokes. Maybe I'd better stuff another couple packs in my pocket.

 

[wilwith1l]

. All I can say is my Model 10 will have more than two rounds as opposed to those poor souls on "The Road".

I always interpreted it to mean they started with more bullets, but were down to their last two, as in their last options.

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[Echo4Bravo]

On the med kit, this is my area, take an Israeli bandage, antiseptic (if you put tincture of iodine in you can use it for water purification, 5 drops per qt for clear water, 10 for cloudy), bandaids, anti diarrhea meds, pedialite powder packs and antibiotic ointment. In a pinch you can use the izzy as an ace bandage, sling, swath or tourniquet. That's about all you need for survivable injuries that are self treatable in the field. There are always exceptions, but that will cover the most common stuff.

 

[sendit300]

In my kit I keep a few packs of Neuro Edge by 8-Ball Nutrition. It helps start the day off without having to prepare something warm if you're on the move.

 

[mike@rss]

72hrs is a pretty good standard and every load out obviously like some said is mission and environment dependent.
My 72hr blowout bag would be for rural blowouts IE: things go bad and I have to survive or live remote for a minimum of 72hrs.

Fundamentals.
Food and Water.
I use REI dehydrated chow broken down, MRE's are good options but from my military experience are to damn heavy, accumulate to much trash, and are grossly high in sodium and less in real nutrition. my military brethren would agree... if you start eating MRE's you will shit bricks, be constipated, and it will suck the water out of you.
I would stick with nuts/berrys, real good hippie granola, high in fiber, protein, and dry fruit high in calories, and carbs.... sustaining nutrition.
Next, water-which is the most important. I would bring at least a 200oz bladder filled with water, a good nalgene bottle (for decontaminating and portability),
and either iodine tablets, or bleach to decontaminate water. Part of my food and water kit will include a small pot to boil water, and I prefer fuel tablets, and lighters...
this setup is light, avoids fuel signatures like smell, and allows you to boil water with a reduced signature... also good for morale to boil coffee, or heat up chow.

Next I would obviously bring things for survival... alot of people will tell you pack out wire for snares, fishing line for catching fish, and some pretty crazy survival tools that really don't work... I have been to SERE C (War time), SERE 215/245 (Peace time detention survival schools in Special Forces, and will tell you that this shit doesn't work... When I was in SERE school evading, me and a buddy rapped an old ladies garden for food, and that works... to try and bring these micro kits for survivability is a waste of space.
I would bring a leatherman that has a tool for everything, if you're going to carry the weight of a knife you mine as well bring a leatherman with multi tools.
Some guys will say, carry a wire hand saw, I would actually bring a hatchet... worth the suck up in carrying weight if you ask me. Winkler Axes and Hatchets are the very best. I have used his tool to rip open cars for rapid entry and they hold an edge like no other hatchet on the market.

The next issue which is overlooked is hygiene and medical. I would pack out baby wipes, motrin, caffeine pills, 4 X tourniquets, hand sanitizer, balm for hands and lips, foot powder, sun tan lotion, surgical need and thread for sewing stitches, alcohol wipes, soap, floss, and most importantly antibiotics for both bacterial infections, and viral infections... human beings are walking shit pools, guys who have been in the field for extended periods of time know this... your hands fall apart, your ass gets chaffed, and your feet start rotting.

Socks, socks, socks... if youre making significant movements across land you will need to take care of your feet, this includes keeping feet dry, and changing socks frequently. I would also pack an extra set of underwear and shirt.

Sleep/Shelter-obviously you need to rest, and you need to seek shelter out of the elements. I would use a compressible stuff sack and use a sleeping bag shell that is used to keep in heat, and join that up with a poncho liner. this will keep heat in and protect from the elements. I would also buy a small tent, some guys go old school and use ponchos and 550 cord, but now a days, you can get a nice compact tent thats lighter than 550 cord, and ponchos... also, problem Ive seen with ponchos is that they actually don't wick moisture... again if you grew up in the military and ever went to sleep with a poncho, even on a dry night you will wake up wet, because it sucks up humidity...

Day/Night signal
I always pack out VS-17-pretty universal, signal mirror, some chem lights with 550 cord to make signals you can swing around to friendly Identify.

Navigation
Depending where you are GPS like a garmin 401 is a must, I prefer a GPS that I can load map data, and has the longest life. Again some guys would say maps and compasses, which aren't bad ideas, but if I'm carrying the weight I would pack out the batteries, and maybe a solar panel pack that trickle charges your electronics.

Hope this helps.

 

[ivel_86]

Sleeping bag with good bivy cover. Bug spray (if your a buffet like me) and a book to read. Maybe a flash light if you don't like feeling around at night.. 3 days isn't to long. In my honest three day ruck, I carry some MREs broken down done need the heaters or some of the other crap. A few magazines (entertainment). Socks. A good mulit tool my poncho and poncho liner. Set of glove, 550 cord, CLP. Maybe a good set of gloves depending on the location I was going to. Its always a PITA when you need your hands and they're all messed up. Thats about it that I can think of. I have never had the freeze dried mountain food or whatever its called but I have heard its pretty good. Seems unnecessary being I will eat my MREs cold if only going for a few days.

Oh yea also a good roll of TP and baby wipes.