When you are new to being a survivalist, creating your initial bug out bag can appear overwhelming. All the individuals you come across have been modifying theirs for a significant period, accumulating a substantial amount of equipment. It can be difficult to figure out how to begin, but if you include all the essential items for surviving, you will be far ahead of most individuals in a survival scenario.
A Bug Out Bag, known by various names such as BOB, I.N.C.H Bag (I’m Never Coming Home Bag), Get Out of Dodge Bag (GOOD Bag), or 72 Hour Bag, is typically created with the purpose of assisting individuals in escaping from an urgent scenario and providing them with the means to independently survive for a maximum of 3 days. While many individuals design their Bug Out Bags to support them for longer time periods, it is essential to consider the constraints of carrying items on your back, making a 3-day goal an ideal starting point.
Which Backpack/Rucksack/Bag To Use?
The initial topic to be addressed is the type of bag to be utilized.
This question is frequently asked of us. In the end, the specific backpack you choose (such as a rucksack) is not particularly important (to some extent). If you have a limited budget, you can simply start with a traditional school backpack. It is worth noting that even just having something packed prepares you better than most people. School backpacks are sufficient; consider that they can accommodate multiple textbooks and hold your gear without any problem.
There are backpacks available with multiple compartments, including hidden ones, and they also incorporate MOLLE technology. Consequently, these backpacks enable you to maximize storage capacity while occupying minimal space.
While most high-quality backpacks are capable of fulfilling the task, having a backpack specifically designed for survival purposes comes with its advantages.
Gear Essential For a Bug Out Bag
FIRST AID
Here are some first aid items that you should consider putting in your bug out bag, without any specific order in mind.
MEDICATION:
Prescription medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and antidiarrheals; antihistamines, Sudafed, multi-vitamins, Epipen (for severe allergies), antibiotic ointment, and antacids.
BANDAGES:
Band-Aids, along with butterfly stitches, gauze, ace bandage, triangle bandage, first aid tape, trauma pads, and eye patch, just to name a few examples.
BASIC FIRST AID ITEMS:
You can find most of these items in a quality first aid kit: gloves, tweezers, EMT scissors, eye wash, face mask, antiseptic pads, cold compress, and insect sting relief.
ADVANCED FIRST AID:
The text below presents a list of various medical supplies: – Tourniquet for cats (CAT Tourniquet) – QuikClot – Bandages from Israel (Israeli Bandages) – Needle for decompression – Kit for suturing – Sutures – Blades for a scalpel – Kit for treating snakebites – Splint made of wire – SAM splint
In addition to having first aid supplies, it would be wise to also include a gas mask in your bag. In the event of riots, tear gas is likely to be released, and in cases of fires, heavy smoke will be present. Wouldn’t it be advantageous to be able to continue moving while others struggle due to the effects of harmful substances?
WATER
It is evident that water is an essential requirement for survival in any circumstance. In situations where survival is at stake, water immediately becomes the most valuable asset.
To ensure minimum hydration, each person should have at least 1 liter of water per day. Therefore, your Bug Out Bag for 3 days should contain a minimum of 3 liters of water.
In order to increase your ability or ensure your survival for more than a few days, it is necessary to possess a water purification system. This can range from a basic method such as boiling water and using iodine tablets, to a more advanced water filter.
FOOD
For a 3 day Bug Out Bag, a sufficient option would be backpack meals, emergency bars, and protein shake mix. Backpack meals are meals that have been freeze-dried and require only boiling water to be added. They have the advantage of being lightweight and having a long shelf life. The protein shake mix is also an excellent choice as it contains a high concentration of nutrients and only requires water to be mixed.
It is clear that in any widespread disaster scenario, it is essential to have a long-term food solution, such as specialized survival food kits. However, for your fundamental Bug-Out Bag (BOB), these types of meals serve as a suitable choice.
CLOTHING
When considering what clothes to include in your bug out bag, it is advisable to choose items that are comparable to what you would normally pack for a weekend backpacking adventure.
- A pair of sturdy survival boots
- A pair of long pants (preferably not blue jeans)
- 2 Pairs of socks (preferably not cotton)
- 2 Shirts (Maybe 1 long sleeve and 1 short sleeve for layering)
- A jacket that is both warm and protection from rain
- Warm long underwear of some kind
- A hat
- A bandana
This list has the potential to be longer, and a lot of individuals would never consider going without packing double the amount mentioned above in their Bug Out Bag. However, in case of urgency, having that particular setup could suffice for a duration of 3 days.
It is important to consider the weather conditions in your area when making plans.
SHELTER
There are various options available such as a Mylar blanket, Mylar sleeping bag, lightweight tarp, bivvy, sleeping bag, wool blanket, all weather tent, foam pad, or Therm-a-Rest. It is important to conduct research and determine the most suitable items for your specific climate. Although Mylar blankets may not be the ideal choice, they are lightweight and can be handy in emergency situations, but they should not be relied upon as your main shelter. It is advisable to keep a few of these blankets due to their compact size.
FIRE
In my opinion, fire holds great importance, so it is advisable to have various tools and different kinds of tinder on hand for starting a fire.
FIRESTARTING TOOLS:
In a sequential manner, rephrase the given text while preserving the original meaning. Do not include additional information or omit any information: Begin by acquiring a ferro rod, matches, windproof and waterproof matches, a butane lighter, and Paracord (become skilled in making a bowdrill).
Even though a bowdrill is not a practical survival skill or tool in our current modern society, possessing that knowledge will enhance both your confidence and fire making skills. It is important to have the appropriate modern tools, but if you are capable of starting a fire by rubbing sticks together, consider how proficient you will be in this skill when utilizing modern tools.
There are various varieties of flint fire starters available. The Blastmatch stands out due to its one-handed usability, although it is prone to breaking over time due to its moving components. Despite owning one, I have a backup option for when it eventually breaks. It is advisable for your backup to be completely distinct. I recommend a sturdy six-inch long ferro rod as it provides better grip even when your hands are cold.
One common item frequently mentioned in people’s fire starting kits is a 9v battery and steel wool. Although this combination can be used to ignite a fire, it is a disposable tool. Once the steel wool is used once, it becomes ineffective. Instead of the battery, it is recommended to substitute it with another ferro rod, which can ignite numerous fires. Nevertheless, if you have never used a ferro rod before, it is advisable to practice using it before encountering an emergency situation. It is better to become proficient beforehand rather than trying to figure it out when you are in a critical scenario.
TINDER
After careful consideration, I have come to the conclusion that cottonballs combined with Vaseline make an excellent choice for starting fires. This method is both cost-effective and simple to prepare. Additionally, it offers a significant advantage by burning for up to five minutes, allowing ample time for fire ignition.
There are various types of tinder available, such as char cloth, waterproof fire sticks, wetfire tinder, dryer lint, etc. Consequently, opt for the one that suits you the most.
It is important to note that dryer lint typically contains hair and synthetic materials which do not burn effectively. Instead, they tend to quickly melt without generating a sufficient flame. Considering the affordability of cotton balls, it might be more practical to forego repurposing dryer lint for your bug out bag and invest a few dollars in a more dependable option.
