We were advised to be prepared when the CDC initially cautioned about the forthcoming spread of the coronavirus throughout the country. As concerns grew, there was also an increased realization of the true meaning of being prepared. We must always anticipate and make arrangements for any future threats, and be fully ready to confront them directly, regardless of their nature.
What is a bug out bag?
The phrase ‘bugging out’ is used to describe the action of someone leaving their home due to an unforeseen emergency, whether it is caused by a natural event or human actions. Therefore, it is logical that the necessary supplies required for such a scenario will be packed into a bag known as a ‘bug-out’ bag.
At its essence, a bug out bag comprises vital supplies aimed at aiding your survival during diverse emergency situations.
Why should you have a bug out bag?
Without proper preparation, you and your loved ones are vulnerable to disaster, which can occur at any time. It is important to be proactive and create a bug out bag that is equipped with essential items to ensure survival, regardless of whether you are dealing with a natural calamity or chemical warfare. Start preparing now, as there is no better time to do so.
Half of the population, equivalent to a significant 48 percent of Americans, do not possess emergency supplies for use in the occurrence of a disastrous situation, indicating that being prepared is crucial for survival. Consequently, almost half of the population will not be adequately equipped to deal with a disaster when it eventually occurs.
Making sure you have a well-stocked bug out bag that is ready for any situation should be the first thing on every survivalist’s to-do list. We have collaborated with a team of specialists to provide a detailed list of essential survival gear, tools, and materials needed to endure any unforeseen challenge.
In order to increase your likelihood of survival following the decision to bug out, we have devised a list of essential items that will aid you in executing your long-term survival plan.
CHOOSING A BUG OUT BAG
When considering what to include in your bug out bag, the initial priority is the bag. There are two different perspectives on this matter.
First, select the bag that is most suitable for you.
2) Select the bag once you have acquired the items.
Water
Water and hydration are arguably the most crucial essentials for a bug out bag. While the human body can survive for around 3 weeks without food, it can only last about 72 hours without water. Therefore, having water in your bug out bag is absolutely necessary. It is highly recommended to have a minimum of one liter per person per day.
Below, you will find 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)
It is highly advisable to include at least one Sawyer or two in your bug out bag for water filtration. These compact and light devices are essential for removing 99.9% of bacteria and other harmful microbes from water that would otherwise be unsuitable for consumption without boiling or treating it in another manner.
Air
Make sure you have this essential bug out bag item to ensure that you can breathe easily since you can only survive for three minutes without clean air.
- Air Filtration Mask: Depending on the survival situation at hand, air filtration may be the only way you can access safe-to-breathe oxygen. Use an air filtration mask that filters out particulates to keep you breathing well.
Shelter
If you find yourself caught in a storm in the midst of the wilderness or if you become homeless as a result of a natural calamity, having immediate shelter is indispensably crucial.
- Tent: In many emergency situations, shelter may be hard to find. While packing a traditional tent may not be a viable option, a good bug out bag should always include a waterproof survival tent. The best survival tents are made of Mylar, which can retain heat and repel water. Pro-tip: Be sure to stack leaves, grass or anything else from around the campsite against the tent for added protection from the elements.
- Space blanket: These light, metal-coated sheets weigh next to nothing and are designed to retain heat, which makes them a great addition to any bug out bag. Your space blanket may also be used as a rudimentary shelter; attach it to a limb or trunk and tie it with a paracord.
- Sleeping bag: If you can find an extremely lightweight sleeping bag that still provides appropriate warmth, this can be a good addition to your bug out bag.
Food
During the onset of flooding or detonation of bombs, it is essential to have an adequate supply of food that can sustain you for a minimum of three days. These necessities will assist you in surviving the initial critical moments and provide the necessary strength to face any challenges that may arise.
- Rations: You won’t have endless room in your bug out bag for a feast, and that’s where dense, small packages of rations come in. Datrex emergency rations are calorie-dense, providing enough food to sustain you for three days.
- Fishing kit: If your emergency situation leaves you stranded near a body of water, a small fishing kit could come in handy. String, hook, and bait can be tied to virtually anything, making for an on-the-go fishing solution.
Clothing
Choosing clothing for your bug out bag is an individualized process due to variations in body types, tolerance levels, and fitness capabilities. The following items should be strategically layered to ensure a consistent and optimal body temperature is maintained.
Your choice of clothes will clearly be influenced by your location, climate, and the mentioned factors. It is important to assess your bug out bag periodically, considering the changing seasons. During these instances, it would be beneficial to have a collection of seasonal clothes that can be replaced as needed.
Having at least two sets of clothes guarantees that you will constantly have a dry option to wear. It is crucial, when evacuating and facing harsh conditions, to avoid wearing damp clothes as it can lead to discomfort and should not be underestimated, considering the genuine risk of hypothermia.
Heat Source
It is crucial to have multiple ways of starting a fire while bugging out. We advise including the following essentials in your bug out bag, as our survivalist and firearms expert friend imparted this valuable advice that has stayed with us.
Wherever there are two, there will always be one. And wherever there is one, it means there is none.
If you don’t have a backup, and your primary source fails, you are in trouble.
To ensure thorough preparation, we advise including a minimum of 3 diverse methods to ignite a fire in your bug out bag checklist.
- Lighter
- Ferrocerium Rod
- Tinder (Qty 3)
- Waterproof Storage
Lighting
Having lighting tools is essential when the sun goes down. To move around any location during the time from sunset to sunrise, make use of the bug out bag essentials provided.
- Chem lights: A chemical grade light stick can last up to 12 hours, and is typically visible from up to a mile away. These sturdy lighting tools have a long shelf life and offer strong output—great for signaling, keeping animals away, and basic illumination.
- Flashlight: No bug out bag is complete without a flashlight. Invest in a sturdy but compact flashlight that provides plenty of illumination.
- Headlamp: If you have room in your bug out bag, consider including headlamp for hands-free lighting.
Communications (P.A.C.E.)
Communications is a category that is highly debated within the preparedness community. However, our approach is to keep it straightforward. In the event of a bug out situation, if you are able to utilize them, having these items with you will prove beneficial.
The following can be remembered using the acronym “P.A.C.E.”, which stands for Primary, Alternate, Contingency, and Emergency.
- Primary – Cell Phone
- Alternate – Wifi/Tablet
- Contingency – Ham Radio w/ License
- Emergency – Crank Power Charger with Signal Lights
First Aid
When it comes to first aid, there are many pre-made products available that are not suitable for a survival kit like a bug out bag. Although the topic of first aid can be extensively discussed, we have a recommended option for now, but you can also create your own kit.
Tools
When it comes to categories that get people excited, gadgets are right up there with weapons. It’s not hard to understand why – gadgets are awesome, and some of them are super amazing. However, as we always say, it’s important to be mindful of the weight you’re carrying. Identify the essential items and disregard the others. In order to lead by example, we suggest including these three tools in your bug out bag.
We will explain our reasoning in another post, so stay tuned. However, these items should be suitable for most, if not all, bug out bags.
Disaster preparedness can be straightforward, but shopping for and gathering supplies for a DIY bug out bag can be challenging. Often, the DIY approach may cost more than necessary, resulting in unnecessary items that are a waste of money. Rather than trying to fit useless items into a bag that won’t last, choose a pre-packed, highly rated bug out bag.
