Although you’re familiar with bug out bags, let’s revisit the fundamentals for a moment.
The bug out bag (BOB) concept is simple. It’s the bag that will keep you alive while you travel to your bug out location (BOL) during an emergency. It should have survival supplies that can last at least 72 hours or longer, depending on how far your destination is.
Theoretically, it may seem simple. However, as soon as you commence constructing a bug out bag, you come to understand the difficulty you are confronted with. How can you manage to safeguard all your necessities without being burdened by the weight of your bag?
It is important to bear in mind that you must not carry more than 20% of your body weight. Otherwise, even if you are in good physical condition, you will likely not be able to carry it for a mile.
Exaggerating is a novice error, however, there’s no need to worry. We have some suggestions and techniques to assist you in reducing your burden.
10 Genius Tips for Building a Bug Out Bag That’s Lightweight
What is the reason for requiring a BOB that is lightweight?
It is evident that you are bugging out on foot when your bag is as heavy as a miniature elephant, which will limit your distance.
Suppose you own a bug out vehicle (BOV). Is it permissible to prepare a bug out bag with a lot of weight? Absolutely, if everything goes smoothly. However, knowledgeable preppers are aware that it’s always beneficial to have contingency plans in place, as things don’t always go as planned. Plan B and C should be at the ready.
If you rely on a BOV, it’s worth considering the benefits of owning two different bug out bags. Firstly, a larger bag with extra water, food, and SHTF equipment that you can store in your vehicle, and secondly, a smaller bag with enough resources to take with you in case you need to leave your BOV behind.
To make your travel faster and avoid enemies deftly, it is advisable to carry a lighter pack. Below are guidelines to assist you in packing a bug out bag that is lightweight:
Check the Bag Itself
Selecting the right bag can either enhance or hinder your travel experience.
A piece of advice: Avoid purchasing the initial option that catches your eye. It is advisable to wait until you have all your prepping equipment and tools collected before making a purchase.
Start by considering several choices and gradually eliminate them until you discover the most suitable one. Your bag must satisfy these conditions:
- Compartments: Does it have several compartments to help you organize it?
- Frame: Your bag’s frame helps you distribute the weight of your things more easily.
- Durability: This is non-negotiable for any survival bag—your BOB, your get home bag , and your everyday carry . The last thing you want is a strap tearing off or a hole in your main compartment.
- Capacity: It should have enough room to hold your essential survival supplies.
- Weight: This is just as important as making sure the bag can take a beating and carry your prepper gear.
If you happen to be at a physical store, you can test the weight of the bags by carrying them. However, if you’re making an online purchase for your BOB, review the product details to compare dimensions.
Carry Enough H20
Although having water is essential, it is not necessary to carry five gallons in your backpack. Consider the difficulty of carrying all that weight during a hike to your Bug-Out Location.
It is advisable to pack a lone water bottle when assembling a bug out bag and procure water only when the supply runs out. To eliminate harmful microorganisms, it is recommended to have a water filter and a few water purification tablets. Despite being not the most delicious, the water obtained should suffice in hydrating you.
Bring Less Food
If you are creating a bug out bag, you most likely desire an abundance of food stored inside. However, it is not advisable to overpack on food, despite how much you may cherish certain snacks. Take comfort in the fact that your bug out situation will only be temporary, and you can subsist on MREs, trail mix, and survival bars until you can return home.
Remember, you’re just supposed to be staving off your hunger and not enjoying five-course meals. Focus on food that gives you enough calories and is easy to prepare. Anyway, as long as you know how to catch fish or set traps , you won’t go hungry out there.
Don’t Pack Too Many Clothes
Comprising of clothing for 3 days should suffice, but let us clarify that this doesn’t mean packing the equivalent amount as you would for a holiday. It is unnecessary to change outfits at every destination.
Keep things simple. You don’t need many shirts and it won’t hurt to wear your pants a couple of times. Your current shoes will suffice, just make sure they are durable.
When it comes to going on foot, socks are not something to skimp on. It’s recommended to bring a couple of extra pairs to avoid painful blisters on your feet.
Switch to a Tarp
Preppers always include a tarp when discussing what items to pack in a bug out bag.
Tarps are equally as effective as tents, if not superior. They are more affordable, easy to carry, and can be utilized for various shelter arrangements. However, the benefits of a tarp do not end there.
This tool is essential for survival as it can also be utilized for:
- Signal for help
- Collect rain
- Carry someone who might get injured (as a makeshift stretcher)
- Make a hammock
Take Advantage of Survival Caches
A survival cache is a concealed location where emergency supplies and tools that you have stored can be found. Whenever you are in need of survival materials, you can visit the cache to restock them.
When planning for situations such as evacuation, survival caches prove to be highly beneficial. Simply scatter a few along the way to ensure that you have a stockpile of supplies at hand. However, take caution when hiding your caches to prevent them from being discovered by outsiders.
Two Is One, One Is None? Think Again!
Although a popular phrase used by many people when preparing, it should not be interpreted literally.
Duplicates can be effective for bugging in, but for bugging out they may increase the weight of your BOB considerably.
You don’t require three ferro rods as one is sufficient. To ensure a fire, it is advisable to bring a ferro rod, matches, and a BIC lighter. Planning for contingencies is crucial when constructing a bug out bag.
Focus on Multipurpose Supplies
Opt for multi-purpose items when selecting what to include in your bug out bag. These versatile tools can serve as replacements for your bulkier and less adaptable ones, enabling you to conserve space and avoid having to discard any valuable possessions.
Included here are some illustrations of items that can be used for multiple purposes that you may consider bringing along.
Learn Survival Skills
While creating a bug out bag filled with equipment, provisions and cutting-edge technology is beneficial, possessing solid survival skills is matchless. It lessens your dependency on material items and also guarantees that no one can rob you of your know-how.
Begin honing the subsequent abilities as early as possible:
Lastly, Find the Right Balance
You are the one who knows your own needs best. When you are aware that you are prone to getting hypothermia, it is unwise to give up your winter jacket. This applies equally to food if you have a medical condition.
Achieving the perfect bug out bag involves striking a balance between practicality and comfort.
If you truly require something, do not hold back from including it in your bag. Any items that are dispensable can be bid farewell.
Prepper Gear List You need to Know
Regardless of the amount of trouble S causes TF, ensuring that you have enough food to feed yourself and your family is crucial as obtaining food may become challenging during emergencies. Thus, it is imperative to have sufficient food stock for a well-fed family. The following are essential items for your food and nutritional requirements:
It is recommended to have at least two weeks’ worth of food available for emergencies, although it is preferable to have a supply of food that can last for a month or two. This food should be the same as your regular daily consumption and is known as your short-term food supply. It will suffice to sustain you during short-lived emergency incidents.
2. Long-Term Emergency Food
It is important to plan for the future and think about your long-term food needs in addition to your regular meals. In the event of a significant societal disruption, you may require a supply of food that can last you for several months.
Including buckets of emergency food in your prepper collection is an ideal choice. These buckets contain complete meals that only require hot water to be consumed. Moreover, they can last for 25 years, which enables you to store them and disregard them.
3. Sprouting Seeds
Even if you stock up on emergency food, which includes buckets of preserved food, it ensures that you will have sufficient nourishment. However, obtaining fresh food during emergency scenarios can be challenging. In such situations, keeping sprouting seeds handy will enable you to produce sprouts with minimal water usage. It’s not about cultivating a garden; it’s more about having fresh leafy greens to consume each day. You can use various types of seeds like mustard seeds, mung beans, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and lentils for this purpose.
Within a few days of commencing the seed sowing, you will be able to enjoy fresh green sprouts that offer additional nourishment. However, it is crucial to purchase non-GMO seeds, as seeds found in grocery stores are usually irradiated and won’t produce satisfactory sprouts.
4. Planting Seeds
For sustained food requirements, it is imperative to possess a reserve of plantable seeds since the stocked food will eventually get exhausted. By doing so, you can start cultivating a garden once the worst is over, and you are rebuilding your life. The most preferred seeds to preserve are:
- Radishes
- Onions
- Kale
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Corn
- Cabbage
- Broccoli
- Beans
- Peas
- Beets
- Carrots
5. Bottled Water
It is hoped that you can hunker down for a long stretch. Stockpiling bottled water can make things easier as you try to adapt during challenging situations. It is recommended to have at least two weeks’ worth of bottled water in storage, but having a couple of months’ supply is even better. Even in short-lived crises, this amount should suffice to see you through.
6. WaterBOB
The waterBOB is a highly recommended solution for storing emergency water in any household. It proves particularly useful in situations where you receive prior notice of water unavailability or usage restrictions. This container can only be used once, but it can store up to 100 gallons of water, making it an ideal option for providing 100 days’ supply of water per person as we require 1 gallon of water per person daily.
The bathtub liner called waterBOB is created to be filled with water, eliminating the need to clean and sanitize your tub. This guarantees the water will remain fresh for up to four months. It includes a pump enabling you to extract water for various purposes such as cooking, cleaning, and drinking. Moreover, it is cost-effective, priced at approximately $30 per unit.
7. Rain Barrel
When planning for a long-term stay indoors, it is crucial to have a system in place for water collection. The easiest and most basic solution is to use a rain barrel, which enables you to collect rainwater on your property. It is advisable to have at least a couple of these barrels, even if you reside in an apartment with a balcony. However, it is important to avoid using water runoff from the roof as most roofing tiles contain chemicals that can pollute the water.
8. Sawyer Mini Filtration System
With the ability to filter and purify any water, the Sawyer Mini Filtration System is an excellent choice. Its powerful filtration capabilities remove 99.99999% of bacteria and protozoa, ensuring that up to 100,000 gallons of water are free from impurities and safe for consumption.
Priced at approximately $30 apiece, this filter is compact, easy to carry, and includes a straw and a drinking pouch, which makes it a perfect component for either your household essentials or your bug out bag.
9. Water Bottles
Bringing additional water bottles when travelling can be beneficial. It allows you to have more water on hand in case you need to travel a long distance without access to a water source. It is recommended to use stainless steel or Nalgene bottles.
10. First Aid Ki
It is important to always have a first aid kit on hand, as even minor medical emergencies can become critical in catastrophic situations. Even during normal times, we should have access to these kits for minor emergencies. Infection from a small cut can pose a significant health risk and may become life-threatening.
It is imperative to have a well-stocked first aid kit that can be easily reached from any location. This entails keeping one in your get home bag, bug out bag, vehicle, and home.
