I’m certain you’ve come across the phrase multiple times, but don’t worry if you’re unsure of its meaning. It’s actually a frequently asked question among many people.
What is a Bug Out Bag (BOB)?
A Bug Out Bag, also known as a BOB, is a spacious emergency kit containing specialized gear and equipment necessary for use in situations that require immediate evacuation. Typically, these items are kept in a backpack or any easily accessible container for swift retrieval during unforeseen disasters.
In critical moments, the act of searching for your emergency gear can have fatal consequences. With a prepared Bug Out Bag, you are able to swiftly retrieve the necessary emergency equipment in case evacuation becomes necessary during a crisis.
How do you Build a Bug Out Bag?
To begin, your aim is to locate a robust and resilient backpack or bag that can withstand challenging circumstances. This bag must have enough space to accommodate your necessary equipment, but should not be excessively large so as to become burdensome while evacuating.
To get a good idea of what you should be looking for, the bag you select will predominantly rely on your specific situation and the types of emergencies you are preparing for.
How Much Gear Should You Pack?
If you listen to most self-proclaimed survival experts, they commonly advise having enough supplies in your BOB to last seventy-two hours. However, it is best to disregard this suggestion as it greatly underestimates the required duration. Given that major disasters frequently hinder vital services and disrupt normal life for longer than 72 hours, we recommend having a Bag that can sustain you for at least two weeks. If possible, strive for indefinite survival by investing in better resources.
There is no telling how long it will take to make it from point A to point B, and during a disaster, all plans usually go out the window, so plan accordingly! Despite being designed to assist you in traveling from point A to point B, the bag’s duration cannot be determined.
Ensure that your Bag is tailored to meet your specific requirements; please note that some individuals may have additional items needed that are not mentioned in this list. The emergency supplies provided on this page should be viewed as general recommendations designed to assist you in initiating the construction of your bag. When assembling your kit, it is essential to consider any unique necessities or belongings that you or your family may need. We will now discuss certain items that you may consider incorporating into your Bug Out Bags, as well as items that are durable and reliable during critical situations.
Bug Out Bag Essentials
WATER AND HYDRATION
When considering bug out bag essentials, the items pertaining to water and staying hydrated are arguably the most crucial. While the human body can endure without water for around 72 hours, it can survive without food for about 3 weeks. Hence, having water is absolutely indispensable in your bug out bag. It is highly advisable to include a minimum of one liter of water per day, per person.
Below, we present the items that we suggest…
- Drinking Water (3 Liters)
- Collapsible Water Bottle
- Hard Water Bottle
- Metal Water Bottle / Canteen
- Water Filters / Purification Systems
- Water Purification Tablets (Qty 3)
We strongly advise including at least one Sawyer or two in your bug out bag for water filtration. These portable and light devices efficiently eliminate 99.9% of bacteria and other harmful microorganisms from water. It allows you to consume water that would otherwise require boiling or alternative treatment methods.
FOOD AND FOOD PREPARATION
Moving on, we will now discuss food supplies. Within the preparedness community, there are numerous individuals who enthusiastically endorse a range of products, primarily pre-packaged dehydrated items that can be purchased from stores. From our perspective, we suggest opting for a selection of non-perishable food options, some of which may necessitate the addition of water and others that do not. During an actual bug out scenario, it is uncertain how limited your access to water might be. As a precaution, it is advisable to anticipate water scarcity being more severe than anticipated.
While some of these items are easily understandable, we will further elaborate on why we chose them in future posts. What you should keep in mind for now is that you should have an ample supply of food to sustain you for at least three days. Additionally, another suggestion is the use of plastic cookware, but we advise opting for metal cooking utensils and cookware for their better 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, the choice is highly individualized due to variations in body types, tolerances, and levels of fitness. The following items should be carefully layered in order to effectively regulate body temperature and ensure overall well-being.
Your choice of clothing will naturally be influenced by your location, climate, and the previously mentioned factors. It is advisable to assess the contents of your bug out bag periodically, preferably each season. During these occasions, it is advisable to have a collection of clothes suitable for that particular season, which can be substituted when required.
Having at least two changes of clothes allows you to always have a dry set available, which is crucial when bugging out in the elements. Wet clothes are not only uncomfortable but 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, some of the items selected for this category may appear excessive or impractical at first glance. However, upon reviewing the recommended individual products, one will observe that they have all been designed with compactness and lightweight in mind, specifically tailored for backpackers.
Including items such as a tarp or a trash bag filled with leaves can be used to create a shelter or makeshift ground pad, which we believe are useful for various reasons. This is because maintaining a good state of rest, both mentally and physically, is highly crucial for boosting morale during challenging times.
- Tarp
- Tent (Optional)
- Sleeping Bag
- Ground Pad
- Wool Blanket
HEAT SOURCE
It is important to have multiple ways to start a fire when bugging out. We suggest including the following essentials in every bug out bag. This recommendation stems from a survivalist and firearms expert friend who imparted this valuable advice to us and it has stayed with us ever since.
If there are two, there is one. If there is one, there is none.
If you don’t have a backup plan and your primary one fails, you will be in a difficult situation.
To ensure preparedness, we suggest including a minimum of 3 diverse methods for starting a fire in the list of items for your bug out bag.
- Lighter
- Ferrocerium Rod
- Tinder (Qty 3)
- Waterproof Storage
FIRST AID
First aid products that are readily available in the market may not be suitable for a survival kit like a bug out bag. While discussing the topic of first aid comprehensively would require numerous posts, we have one that we highly recommend. However, you always have the option to create your own kit.
- First Aid Kit
- Trauma Kit
- Insect Repellant
- Mylar Survival Blanket
HYGIENE
As we compile a list of essential items for a bug out bag, it is important to acknowledge that personal hygiene is often neglected. However, neglecting these aspects for an extended period can result in bacterial infections and a significant decline in health. To ensure your optimal performance when bugging out, do not forget 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
After weapons, gadgets are the category that captures everyone’s attention and enthusiasm. The reason behind this is quite simple. Gadgets are impressive, and there are a few in particular that are exceptionally appealing. However, as we have previously stated, it is crucial to prioritize efficiency. Identify the essential items and disregard the rest. Consistently following this principle, we propose the inclusion of the following three tools in your bug out bag.
- Survival Knife
- Multi-Tool
- Axe (much safer than a machete and the butt can double as a hammer)
