Hello everyone. My name is Travis. I have been into prepping for several years now and want to start to interact a bit more with the community. I am based out of WI, and have been a web developer for about 6 years now. I put together a website that allows people to create completely custom bug out bags using Amazon (which I wont share directly as it can be seen as spam). I have gotten some feedback that I should recommend how much weight people should carry based on their height/hiking experience. What are your thoughts on this - do you think that an algorithm can be built to assist people - or is it really just based on their personal capabilities?
Welcome to the Monkey @ebugout. IMO really just based on their personal capabilities. Skills, ability and distance to bugout are all different and tailored to the individual. I think in some areas it would be okay to maybe just have a list of recommended stuff. Many sites have prepacked bug out bags but half of that stuff I would take out and put in stuff I thought I needed.
The bug out bag is based on several things including your AO, time of year, physical conditioning and so on. Not sure that you could develop much more than a basic BOB based on that algorithm detail..... as then you cross into such details as male/female, rural vs metro and so on.... just a thought or two. Welcome to the Monkey!!!
Welcome! Weight, age, sex, height, physical capacity... I'd say too many variables. If someone is going to bug out on foot and hasn't taken into consideration their physical ability and at least taken one practice bug out with their simulated loaded bag or pack of choice, then they aren't going far. If bug out means from the back door of the house to the car or truck, that's different. Most anyone can drag 85# that far.
Thats what I thought as well, but some people were giving me a hard time that I do not recommend a pack weight. I have added great features like weight & volume tracking, personal reviews, etc. and I think it is on the user to know their physical abilities.
I think there are many common things in a BOB that cover most aspects of survival.... which are easily factored and described in any plan. Once an individual starts to personalize their bag with items based on gender, preference, time of year and AO... things change a lot. Not sure how any formula you generate will be accurate to any relevant degree on the generic individual.... Bottom line is, if you told me how to pack my ruck, I would laugh at you and tell you bug off. If you are trying to model some formula to instruct folks on how to pack their BOB.... you are going to fail with all but the most simple of sheep.... IMO.
I'm with Moto and the others...... The routes of advances, withdrawals and retreats throughout history have often been littered with the non-essentials from inside soldiers' knapsacks and accoutrements, ditched to save weight and increase mobility. It's less a matter of how much a BoB can hold before the pack disintegrates, but how much the person can carry before their spine disintegrates. Personally, in litigation mad 'merica...some fool will fill his bag with more weight than the bag is rated for. break their back, and sue you for their stupidity. You are on safer ground just giving basic dimensions: height, width, depth, volume capacity and gross weight of the product. Let the customer use their own judgement as to what the nett weight of the pack will be when they fill it full of $h!t.
Just divide into sections with lists of potential items for each section. Don't do their thinking for them. Yard Dart is right each area of operation will be different for each person Sections to consider: Food Water Clothing Comfort let them figure it out from there
Then some people are lazy and they are not taking bugging out seriously. They want someone to do it for them without putting any effort into it then those some people can complain because it is too heavy, too bulky, too whatever.........
Yep, I have built out all the sections of the tool and it is live - but as I said before a few people gave me a hard time that I dont recommend weight the user should carry. This really depends on the person - and even if they enter their dimensions there is no way I can accurately tell them what they can carry. Fitness plays a huge role. Two people can have the exact same dimensions but if one is "in-shape" and the other hasnt worked out in years - they will have very different capabilities.
Sounds like fast food. Order it, have no idea who made it or what's in it. And if you liked it, no idea how to replicate. Good luck and welcome to the tree.
Tell them that they should carry their own weight in condoms....it will probably save you and the rest of humanity a lot of grief in the future.