It is important to be ready for various situations, such as earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, tropical storms, forest fires, or floods, that may lead to a temporary absence of services and utilities. In these circumstances, you may need to rely on yourself for a while. Therefore, having a prepared bag that you can grab and take with you when necessary is a sensible decision.

In most cases, a compact and uncomplicated bug-out bag is versatile enough to provide you with the necessary essentials for the initial 24 to 72 hours during any survival scenario. However, if the situation is not a complete doomsday event, assistance should be available within that timeframe. It is worth noting that many of these items are specifically designed to aid in reaching someone who can offer help, rather than solely facilitating survival in isolation within a forest.

BUILDING A BUG OUT BAG DOES NOT HAVE TO BE HARD

Whether you are unfamiliar with the concept of bugging out or have been acquainted with it for some time, there is probably something useful you can learn from the following.

CHOOSING A BUG OUT BAG

When considering the contents of your bug out bag, the bag itself should be prioritized as the first item. There are two different perspectives regarding this matter.

1) First, make a selection of the bag that suits you the most.

2) Select the bag once you have obtained the items.

BUG OUT BAG LIST ESSENTIALS:

WATER AND HYDRATION

Water and hydration are arguably the most crucial essentials in a bug out bag. While the human body can survive without food for up to three weeks, it can only go for around 72 hours without water. Therefore, having water is an absolute necessity in your bug out bag. It is highly recommended that you include a minimum of one liter of water per day, per person.

FOOD AND FOOD PREPARATION

Following food stuffs, the preparedness community frequently promotes different off-the-shelf, dehydrated, store-bought products. In contrast, we advise including a diverse selection of non-perishable food items, some of which may necessitate water while others do not. When facing an actual bug out scenario, the availability of water remains uncertain. To ensure safety, it is prudent to plan for water scarcity being more severe than initially anticipated.

While we will elaborate on our reasoning for choosing these items in future posts, it is important to note that most of them are self-explanatory. For now, the essential thing to understand is that you should have an adequate amount of food to sustain you for at least three days. Another suggestion commonly made is for individuals to utilize plastic cookware. However, we advise opting for metal cooking utensils and cookware for their heat-resistance and durability.

• Protein / Energy Bars (Qty 6)
• MREs / Dehydrated Meals (Qty 3)
• Spork
• P-38 Can Opener
• Metal Cooking Pot
• Metal Cup
• Pot Scrubber
• Portable Stove
• Stove Fuel (Qty 10)

CLOTHING

Selecting clothing for your bug out bag is an individualized process due to variations in body types, tolerances, and fitness levels. The following items are to be strategically layered in order to consistently regulate body temperature and promote good health.

Your choice of clothes will evidently be influenced by your location, climate, and the factors mentioned earlier. It is advisable to reassess your bug out bag periodically. During these instances, it is recommended to have a collection of clothes suitable for each season that can be interchanged as needed.

Having at least two sets of clothes guarantees that you will never be without a dry one to wear. It is crucial to avoid damp clothes while evacuating and exposed to the natural surroundings. Wet clothes not only cause discomfort but can also lead to hypothermia, which should be taken seriously.

• Lightweight Long Sleeve Shirt (made of poly fabric, not cotton)
• Convertible (Zip-Off) Pants
• Underwear
• Merino Wool Hiking Socks (Qty 3 pair) – Not itchy like old school wool!
• Medium Weight Fleece
• Hat w/ Flex Brim
• Working Gloves
• Rain Poncho
• Shemagh

SHELTER AND BEDDING

To the experienced survivalist, some of the items we selected for this category may appear excessive or impractical at first impression. However, a closer look at the recommended products shows that they are specifically designed to be compact and lightweight, keeping backpackers in mind.

Although utilizing a tarp or a trash bag filled with leaves as a makeshift ground pad is possible for creating a shelter, we highly recommend including these items for various reasons. It is crucial to prioritize being adequately rested, both mentally and physically, as it greatly impacts morale during challenging periods.

• Tarp
• Tent (Optional)
• Sleeping Bag
• Ground Pad
• Wool Blanket

HEAT SOURCE

It is crucial to have various methods for starting a fire when bugging out. It is important to remember the fundamental items that should be present in every bug out bag. The rationale behind this is that a close friend of ours, who is knowledgeable in survival skills and firearms, imparted this valuable advice, and it has stayed with us ever since.

If there are two present, there is only one. If there is only one, there are none.

If you don’t have a backup and your primary option fails, you will be in a difficult situation.

We suggest including at least 3 diverse methods to ignite a fire on your bug out bag checklist in order to ensure preparedness.

• Lighter
• Ferrocerium Rod
• Tinder (Qty 3)
• Waterproof Storage

FIRST AID

There are numerous ready-made products available for first aid, but they may not be suitable for a survival kit like a bug out bag. Although First Aid is a vast topic, we will provide a simple recommendation. However, feel free to create your own kit if desired.

• First Aid Kit
• Trauma Kit
• Insect Repellant
• Mylar Survival Blanket

HYGIENE

When creating a bug out bag checklist, it is common to overlook different aspects of personal hygiene. However, neglecting these aspects for a long time can result in bacterial infections and a significant decline in one’s health. To ensure optimal performance while bugging out, it is crucial to include these items in your pack.

• Wet Napkins
• Hand Sanitizer
• All-Purpose Camp Soap
• Hygiene/Signal Mirror
• Small Pack Towel
• Travel Toilet Paper (Qty 2)
• Travel Size Toothbrush & Toothpaste
• Other Personal Hygiene Necessities

TOOLS

Besides weapons, gadgets are the category that everyone enjoys immensely. The reasons for this are quite evident, as gadgets are undeniably cool, and some of them are exceptionally impressive. However, as we have previously stated, it is crucial to consider the weight of these items. Therefore, it is essential to identify the necessary gadgets and disregard the ones that are not. In an effort to lead by example, we suggest incorporating the following three tools into your bug out bag.

Our reasoning will be explained in a later post, so stay tuned. However, these items should be suitable for most, if not all, bug out bags.

• Survival Knife
• Multi-Tool
• Axe (much safer than a machete and the butt can double as a hammer)

LIGHTING

Similar to having multiple fire sources, it is advisable to have multiple instances of illumination as well. In case one fails or is lost, you will have a backup to replace it. The items mentioned below have multiple functionalities, but they all share the common goal of assisting you in seeing your tasks or finding your way. Remember to include extra batteries!

• LED Headlamp
• Mini LED Keychain
• Light Glowstick
• Mini LED Light
• Tea Candles
• Solar Lantern / Charger
• Batteries

Specific Recommendations For Your Bug-Out Bag

1. The Bag Itself

Mystery Ranch offers these backpacks that are incredibly durable. Although they may not have the fancy features of other brands, they also don’t have the weak buckles that won’t be replaceable during times of widespread panic. In terms of a survival bag, something like the Scree 32 Pack (mentioned above) with its strong build and wide opening will allow you to easily reach all your essentials without any unnecessary extras.

2. Solar Panel + Power Bank

In order to stay updated with news and information, it is important to ensure that your phone remains charged. The Goal Zero Nomad 5 Solar Kit offers a reliable solution for this, even in situations where the power grid is unavailable. Not only is it lightweight and easy to handle, but it effectively provides the necessary power to keep my devices operational while exploring remote areas.

3. Radio

If things go so bad that you require half the items on this checklist, you should not depend on your phone for communication. Rather, the most reliable way to receive news would be with a traditional radio. The Midland ER210, which is operated by hand-cranking and does not need sunlight or batteries, is capable of receiving AM, FM, and NOAA radio broadcasts. Additionally, it can charge your devices and features an LED flashlight.

4. Headlamp

If the power goes out, being able to move and carry out tasks at night is important. The Biolite Headlamp 200 is a comfortable and convenient solution, as it has a long-lasting charge and is easy to wear.

5. Watch

In a crisis, the Marathon General Purpose Quartz Composite Watch is capable of performing all the necessary functions of a watch. It possesses features such as water resistance up to 30 meters, self-illuminating capability in the dark, and a lightweight and dependable construction. This watch proves particularly useful during first aid scenarios, as it enables you to accurately document the time of an injury occurrence and monitor essential health indicators like heart rate and respiratory rate. This information is critical to communicate to a first responder.

6. Protective Face Mask

An Under Armour mask is a popular choice due to its comfort, versatility, and affordability when it comes to protecting against various types of airborne particles, including those found in forest fires. However, there are numerous other quality options available as well.

7. Goggles

In situations where there is a fire or other air contamination, it is necessary to cover your eyes. These Learning Resources Colored Safety Goggles are a six-pack that will protect your eyes and avoid confusion with someone else’s goggles. If you wear prescription eyewear, ensure that these goggles fit over your regular glasses.

8. Dehydrated Meals

Good To-Go offers dehydrated food specifically designed for extended survival circumstances. Their 5-Day Emergency Food Kit comprises five breakfast options and ten entrees, which can be stored for two to five years. Patagonia Provisions is another highly regarded brand that provides tasty dehydrated meals made from organic and sustainable ingredients, making it a triple win according to our assessment.

9. Meal Bars

If you are in need of a convenient meal option that requires no cooking, your ideal choice would be high-calorie bars. ProBar provides a selection of tasty bars offered in packs of 12, which have lasted me for multiple days, possibly even longer.

10/11. Water Filter

The MSR Guardian stands out among other portable filters because it has the ability to remove viruses in addition to bacteria and protozoan pathogens. Additionally, if you are looking for a more budget-friendly alternative, we recommend considering Lifestraw’s 8L Gravity Filter System and Peak Series Straw Filter.

12/13. Water Bottles

Hydrapak produces excellent collapsible bottles for transporting the filtered water. These bottles can be easily compressed and are leak-proof even when consuming liquids. The 32-ounce Flux model is an ideal choice, with other size options also available. It is also recommended to have a solid water bottle on hand. The Hydro Flask’s 24 oz. Standard Mouth bottles are durable and reliable for this purpose.

14. Fire Starter

Lighting a fire has various benefits such as boosting morale, providing warmth, and enabling cooking. Wolf and Grizzly offers an excellent striker that is capable of generating sparks hotter than 54,000 degrees. This set conveniently fits together and remains functional for approximately 20,000 strikes, ensuring many enjoyable evenings spent around the campfire.

15/16. First Aid

Similar to being in the wilderness, being in a survival situation entails managing injuries without the assistance of others. To ensure your safety and the ability to provide care to others, you can depend on the Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Backpacker Medical Kit and Wilderness Medicine training from NOLS. If you are assembling your own kit, be sure to include a week’s worth of personal medications, such as insulin, and a cooler to maintain the insulin’s cold temperature. It is important to regularly review and update the expiration dates of the medicines in your kit every few months.

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