Bug Out Bag Basics: The Essential Items for a Survival Emergency Kit
We’ve all experienced a scraped knee or dead car battery at some point in our lives. In those moments, an emergency kit can save your neck!
But what about when the trouble really strikes? We’re talking about a situation where you need to drop everything, book it to the next town over, and never look back.
This is where a “bug out bag” comes in handy. These bags are designed to carry only the essentials and help you survive the worst, most unexpected situations.
Let’s go over what you should and shouldn’t carry in your bug out bag and how you can pack one accordingly.
What is a Bug Out Bag?
Bug out bag kits have many names, from emergency go-bags to 72-hour bags, evacuation bags, and others.
These bags are designed for emergency situations and can help you survive self-sufficiently for up to three days.
Why Invest in a Bug Out Bag?
There are many reasons to own a bug out bag, with peace of mind being at the top of the list.
Preppers are known for going above and beyond to ensure the safety of their family. They like to think of every possible “what if” scenario. They also love to put together safety kits and create plans well in advance. A bug out bag is one of the top ways preppers go about planning ahead and creating peace of mind.
The thing is, they’re useful items for everyone — preppers and regular Joe Schmoes alike. Even if you aren’t planning on building a bunker or stockpiling water in your basement, you should still consider pulling together a bug out bag.
Because the truth is, emergencies happen to all of us whether we like it or not. While we can’t expect the unexpected, a bug out bag allows us to be prepared with some essential items to help get us through a wide variety of scenarios.
Bug Out Bag Basics
Now that you know what a bug out bag is, and how crucial it is to own one, the question that remains is what kind of supplies should go inside of it. After all, it’s pretty daunting to pack just for emergencies. If left to our own devices, most of us would bring some pretty unnecessary (and heavy!) stuff.
We’re going to spare you the tough decisions and give you a general list. But before we do, let’s talk about the different ways to go about packing your bug out bag.
First and foremost, you’ll want to ask yourself how much weight you’re able to carry. Typically you should aim for somewhere between 20 and 45 pounds, but lighter is always better.
Of course, if you’re able to carry more weight, you can feel free to add more items to your bag. You can also customize it according to where you live, what natural obstacles you might face, and any other unique situations that you could run into.
You can choose to have a small bug out bag or a large one – it’s entirely up to you. You can also decide whether you want to purchase your own bag and essential items separately.
Another option is to buy a pre-packed bug out bag for sale. These bug out bag kits usually cost anywhere from $130-$150 and are incredibly lightweight. Seriously, some of them weigh less than 10 pounds.
The best part is that these bags contain only the lightest products on the market and are stuffed to the brim, so you don’t have to worry about the impossible task of fitting everything in.
Bug Out Bag Essentials / List
If you do decide to build your own bug out bag, here are some items we recommend having. Keep in mind that every bug out bag should contain a fully stocked first aid kit.
Tools and Weapons
To survive, you’ll of course need some tools and weapons. Here are a few of the most important of these to have in your bug out bag:
Pocket knife;
Multipurpose tool;
Handsaw;
Handgun;
Duct tape;
Paracords;
Carabiners.
Having the right tools in your pack can make all of the difference in a survival scenario.
Technology
We recommend having these digital gadgets on hand to ensure your safety in the event of an emergency:
Cell phone and charger;
Headlamp, flashlight, or lantern;
Radio;
Portable battery pack;
Respirator/gas mask.
From basics to, well, cell phones, you want to have the right gadgets on hand when things go south.
Navigation
Staying on the right path is crucial when out in the wilderness. These two items will keep you headed in the right direction:
Map;
Compass.
Remember, you may not have your GPS and other modern navigational crutches available. So don’t just have these on hand. Practice using them, too.
Food & Water
Humans can’t survive without food and water. Besides having at least three days worth of ready-to-eat food, you’ll also want to have the following:
Portable canteen or water bottle;
Water filter;
Water purification tablets;
Vessel to boil water in;
Spork.
From utensils to hydration, make sure you have your basic apocalyptic culinary needs covered.
Clothing
Who doesn’t tend to overpack when it comes to clothes? Here’s a barebone list of bug out bag gear we recommend investing in — with waterproof fabric obviously being an ideal option:
Two pairs of underwear;
Long johns or thermal tights;
Pants;
Belt;
Top base layer;
Jacket ;
Hat;
Gloves;
Scarf, gator, or bandana;
Two pairs of socks;
Footwear (preferably waterproof hiking boots).
You don’t need to dress like the Queen of Sheba. Just make sure you’ve got the absolute basics ready to go.
Shelter
Aside from being hydrated and fed, staying warm and dry is the second most important survival tactic. These items can help you do just that:
Tent or hammock;
Sleeping bag;
Tarp.
Once again, don’t just store these. Make sure you’re comfortable with using them, especially the tent or hammock.
Personal Items
Some personal items we can go without. However, some are a necessary evil:
Multipurpose soap;
Toilet paper (non-poisonous leaves work too!);
Trash bags and Ziploc bags;
Towel;
Hairbrush, toothbrush, and toothpaste;
Cash, identification, and other information documents.
Take a minute and think here. Are there any other personal items that you find are absolutely necessary for your particular situation?
Extras
Depending on how much extra weight you can carry, consider adding some of the following items:
Goggles;
Whistle;
Hand sanitizer or disinfectant wipes;
Lighter, matches, and fire starter;
Waterproof paper and pen.
And there you have it. The perfect set of basic items to stow away in your bug out bag.
Common Bug Out Bag Mistakes
Keep in mind that a bug out bag is meant for survival and survival alone. One of the biggest mistakes we often find is people overpacking their bag with unnecessary items that add too much weight. It’s easy to think “bugging out” is like camping, but it’s quite the opposite.
Imagine carrying a 30-pound pack on your back for 10 miles or more. Just the thought of it makes us tired!
That’s why we can’t stress enough not to overpack. Every item you chose to include in your bag should serve to keep you nourished, warm, and safe.
All this to say, don’t overestimate your physical fitness. Once you have your bug out bag ready to go, walk around your neighborhood to get an idea of whether or not you need to adjust the weight and discard some items.
A good rule of thumb is to pack 20-30% of your bodyweight depending on your physical fitness.
Get Bug Out Bag Ready
As you can see, bug out bags are a must-have for any and everyone. They contain only the most essential items so you can get up and get out during an unsafe situation.
So, have fun packing your own personal bug out bag. Pick out each item with care, make sure you have all of the essentials, and leave everything else behind.
Good luck out there.