When building a bug out bag, several factors need to be taken into account. The first consideration should be your physical limitations. It is important to assess how much weight you can bear over long distances. Backpacking guidelines suggest that an individual of average physical condition should be able to handle approximately 20% of their body weight. For instance, a person weighing 200lb should be capable of carrying a 40lb pack. Those in good shape can handle 25% of their body weight, while individuals who are excellent shape and well-conditioned can manage up to 35% of their body weight.
Once you have considered the next factor, which is accessing the big picture, you should ask yourself where you will be bugging out to. It is necessary to determine if you already have a predetermined location and if you have supplies stored there. The initial and crucial step in creating your bug out bag is to develop a plan. This plan holds great significance and is tailored specifically to your needs. If you have a plan in place, you can then begin assembling your bug out bag according to the guidelines provided, removing any items that do not align with your plan or physical constraints.
Preparation
The first step in assembling a bug out bag is to acquire a backpack. However, if you have no intention of bugging out and plan to “bug in,” you can disregard this step. Nevertheless, if you are interested in preparedness, like followers of my page, you will still require many of the items I will mention later in this article. Simply gather these items and store them in a secure waterproof container in the designated room where you would seek refuge during an emergency, such as your basement, bathroom, or storm cellar.
Returning to the backpack, it is essential to have one that is strong, comfortable, and spacious enough to accommodate all your belongings. It is unwise to compromise on this aspect, as it can lead to issues. When the shoulder straps break, the bottom tears, or the zippers give way, your survival kit will become troublesome. Therefore, a standard Wal-Mart book bag is not suitable for a reliable bug out bag. In an urban setting, it is advisable to steer clear of camouflage or military-style bags as they attract attention. Although these bags are known for their durability, they can raise alarms or pique curiosity among authorities, looters, and others. Similarly, brightly colored hiking backpacks should be avoided. Instead, opt for a bag with earth-toned colors to blend in and avoid drawing attention. Personally, I prefer tactical packs with molle straps for convenient attachment of additional gear. Consider selecting one in black, khaki, coyote brown, or a similar shade. While it may still have a military-like appearance, at least it is not camouflage. OD green should also be avoided. However, opinions may vary on this matter, and individuals have the right to disagree. Although I offer camo bags in my store due to high demand, I encourage people to choose other options for their bug out bags. Additionally, it is recommended to select a backpack that has provisions for a hydration pack, a waist strap, well-padded shoulder straps, durable zippers, and multiple pockets for effective organization of your gear.
You can opt to carry a waist pack to store your more essential belongings instead. I am not referring to a fanny pack, but rather a waist pack that sounds more rugged.
To ensure that your bug out bag is reliable during emergency situations, it is important to test your equipment before assembling it. Many individuals tend to be frugal when putting together their survival kits, but they often regret this decision when they actually need to utilize them. Regularly unpacking and repacking your bag every few months is crucial for replacing expired food and any equipment that may deteriorate, particularly items with rubber seals. Additionally, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the usage of all components in your bag and practice using them to attain proficiency. This is especially important for firestarting and first aid skills.
BUG OUT BAG LIST ESSENTIALS:
WATER AND HYDRATION
When considering the essentials for a bug out bag, it can be argued that the most important ones are the ones that pertain to water and staying hydrated. While a human body can survive without water for approximately 72 hours, it can last about 3 weeks without food. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to include water in your bug out bag. It is highly recommended to have a minimum of one liter of water per day, per person.
The items we suggest can be seen below…
- Drinking Water (3 Liters)
- Collapsible Water Bottle
- Hard Water Bottle
- Metal Water Bottle / Canteen
- Water Filters / Purification Systems
- Water Purification Tablets (Qty 3)
Having at least one Sawyer or two in your bug out bag is strongly advised for water filtration. These portable and lightweight devices are essential for removing 99.9% of bacteria and other harmful microbes from water, which would otherwise require boiling or other treatment methods before being safe to drink.
FOOD AND FOOD PREPARATION
After addressing other aspects, we move on to food supplies. Within the preparedness community, there is a prevalent tendency to suggest different products, primarily ready-made dehydrated items that can be found in stores. From our perspective, we advocate for a selection of non-perishable food items, including both those that necessitate water and those that do not. When faced with an actual bug out scenario, it is uncertain how limited your access to water might be. It is advisable to anticipate it being scarcer than anticipated in order to ensure one’s safety.
Although most of these items are easy to understand, we will provide further explanations for our choices in future posts. What’s crucial to comprehend at this moment is that you should have an adequate amount of food to sustain you for at least three days. Additionally, it is suggested that individuals opt for plastic cookware. However, we advise using metal cooking utensils and cookware due to 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
When it comes to selecting clothing for your bug out bag, it is important to remember that this is a highly individualized process, given the variations in our body types, tolerances, and fitness levels. The following items should be chosen carefully and strategically layered in order to ensure that our body temperature remains adequately regulated at all times.
Your choice of clothing will naturally be influenced by your location, climate, and the factors mentioned earlier. It is advisable to assess your bug out bag regularly, preferably on a seasonal basis. During these instances, it is recommended to have a collection of clothes suitable for each season that can be exchanged as needed.
To guarantee you always have a dry outfit, it is advisable to have a minimum of two changes of clothes. When bugging out in unfavorable conditions, the last thing you want is to be wearing wet clothes. Wet clothes not only make you uncomfortable, but they can also pose a serious risk of hypothermia, which should not be underestimated.
- 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, the items we have selected for this category may appear excessive or impractical upon initial examination. However, a closer look at the individual products we recommend reveals that they are all designed to be compact and lightweight, with the backpacker in mind.
It is possible to create a shelter using a tarp or utilize a garbage bag filled with leaves as a makeshift ground pad. Including these items is advisable for several reasons. It is crucial to be well-rested both mentally and physically to maintain morale during challenging times.
- Tarp
- Tent (Optional)
- Sleeping Bag
- Ground Pad
- Wool Blanket
