Bug Out Bag List
A bug out bag list does not have a one size fits all.
It needs to be loaded with things that are for you, that you are comfortable using.
Frankly I believe a bug out bag starts with a great bug out bag list.
It doesn’t mean everything you put on the list will end up in your bag, but at least you can get a pretty good idea of where to start.
Remember that you are packing for you, so if you see something on the list that you would never use, substitute it for something that you will use in an emergency situation.
The last thing I would want is for people not start because you don’t now how or where. Especially if you’re just starting out, there is a ton of information out there, and sometimes it gets confusing and overwhelming .
Some of the info is really good. Some of it’s well …not so much.
Building A Bug Out Bag should not have to be hard and confusing.
Remember that a bug out bag should kept light, It is only designed for getting you from point A to Point B within a 72 hour period.
Choosing a Bug Out Bag:
The first item on your bug out bag list is the bag itself, two thoughts on the subject are:
1) You should choose the best bag for you. You are the that is going to carry it.
2) You should only choose a bag after you have your items for the bag, so you can get the right size bag.
My thought is get a larger bag than needed, that way if you scavenge items on your way you have room in your bag for them.
We have a few bags on our website that I have used and recommend.
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Okay, now with that out of the way, let’s talk Bug Out Bag Essentials.
Bug Out Bag List:
Water and Hydration:
Arguably the most important bug out bag essentials are related to water and hydration. The human body can go without water for only 72 hours. Water is an absolute must have in your bug out bag. One liter minimum, per day, per person is highly recommended.
Below, you can see the items I recommend…
Drinking Water (3 Liters)
Sawyer Mini Life Straw/ Water Filters
Collapsible Water Bottle
Metal Water Bottle / Canteen/Canteen Cup
Water Purification Tablets (Qty 3)
Out of everything above, I highly recommend having at least one Lifestraw or more in your bug out bag for water filtration. These compact, lightweight lifesavers filter out 99.9% of bacteria and other harmful microbes from water that you could otherwise not drink without boiling or treating in some other way
Food and Food Preparation:
Next up are food stuffs. Personally, I recommend a variety of non-perishable food items, some that might require water and some that don’t. In a real life bug out scenario, you wont know if water will be scarce or what your water source might be. To be safe, plan for more scarce.
The important thing to know now is, you’ll want enough food to last three days minimum.
Another recommendation I have seen is, people using plastic cookware (plastic melts). For heat-resistance and durability, I recommend metal cooking utensils and cookware.
Protein / Energy Bars (Qty 6)
Dehydrated Meals (Qty 3)
Spork
P-38 Can Opener (in case you find canned goods along the way)
Metal Cooking Pot/ Mess Kit
Metal Cup/Canteen Cup
Pot Scrubber
Portable Stove
Stove Fuel (Qty 8 Tablets)
Clothing:
Choosing clothing for your bug out bag is a very personalized selection. The items listed below are to be strategically layered to maintain a healthy body temperature at all times.
Your clothes will obviously depend on your location, climate and terrain. You should evaluate your bug out bag every six months. At which time you might want to have a seasonal selection of clothes that you swap out as seasons change.
Stay away from cotton.
At least two changes of clothes ensure you can always have a dry set to wear. The last thing you want while bugging out, and in the elements, is wet clothes. Not only are they uncomfortable, but hypothermia is a real concern not to be taken lightly. I keep mine in a dry bag (space bag).
Lightweight Long Sleeve Shirt
Zip-Off Pants
Underwear/cold gear/ heat gear
Wool Socks (Qty 2 pair)
Medium Weight Fleece
Hat w/ Flex Brim
Work Gloves
Rain Poncho
Shelter and Bedding:
At first glance, to the more experienced survivalist, some of the items listed for this category might seem excessive or impractical. But if you check the individual products I am listing, you’ll see that they’re all compact and lightweight with the backpacker in mind.
Yes, you can make a shelter out of a tarp or use a trash bag filled with leaves as a makeshift ground pad, but these are all items I think are a wise choices to include for several reasons. Being well-rested, both mentally and physically, can make the difference in a survival situation.
Tarp
Paracord
Tent
Sleeping Bag
Ground Pad
Wool Blanket
Emergency Mylar Blanket
Heat Sources:
Having several different methods for starting a fire is also essential when bugging out. I recommend the following basics to be included in every bug out bag. Remember we are Preppers so, “Where there are two, there’s one. Where there’s one, there’s none.”
Essentially that means, if you don’t have a back up, and your primary fails you…you’re S.O.L.. Always have a backup for the backup.
For that reason I recommend having at least 3 different means of starting a fire in your bug out bag list of items to pack, and it doesn't hurt to carry one on your persons at all times.
Ignition Source (Qty 3)
Tinder (Qty 3)
Waterproof Storage
First Aid:
First aid is one of those areas where there are a lot of already made up products out there. They just aren’t well-suited for a survival kit that goes in a bug out bag. I have one that I do highly recommend, but of course you can always build your own too.
First Aid Kit
Back Ache Medicine/ Cramp Medicine
Upset Stomach Medicine
Insect Repellent
Mylar Survival Blanket
Hygiene:
I have found that various aspects of personal hygiene are often overlooked when compiling a bug out bag list of essentials.
Wet Napkins
Hand Sanitizer
All-Purpose Camp Soap
Small Pack Towel
Travel Toilet Paper (Qty 2)
Travel Size Toothbrush & Toothpaste
Other Personal Hygiene Necessities
Tools:
Other than weapons, this is probably the one category that everyone loves to go crazy over. Gadgets are cool, But remember, " keep it light”. Decide what is a must-have and forget the rest. I recommend the following 4 tools for your bug out bag.
Survival Knife
Multi-Tool
Machete/Hatchet
Folding Shovel
Light:
Light, like fire sources, is something I recommend you have multiple sources of as well. If one fails or you lose it somehow, you have another to take its place. Each item listed below has multiple uses, but they all serve the same purpose – helping you see...
LED Headlamp
Mini LED Keychain
Light Glowstick
Mini LED Solar Light/Hand Crank
Candles
Rechargeable Batteries
Communication:
Communications is another highly contested category in the preparedness community. I think it should be simple though. If the bug out scenario allows for their use, you’ll be glad to have these items with you.
Cell Phone
Crank Power Charger
Emergency Radio with Hand Crank
Travel Aids:
Depending on the situation you find yourself in, these items might prove quite useful. Don’t leave home without carefully thinking these through first.
$500 Minimum in Small Bills (5 and 10 dollar bills)
Quarters (Qty 8)
Gold / Silver Bullion Coins
Map
Compass
Small Note Pad / Pencil
Emergency Whistle
Self Defense:
Self defense is something we should all give some serious consideration. Bugging out, should be a survive or die proposition. Whether you choose a handgun, a rifle, both, or just a can of pepper spray, it’s completely up to you. But you can be sure in a bug out scenario, I will be well equipped to defend myself and hunt wild game if need be.
If you choose not to carry a weapon, or are not allowed to do so, then I highly recommend some degree of self defense training – especially If you have a family – as they’ll be depending on you for their safety.
Pepper Spray
A Good Knife
Handgun
Takedown rifle
Ammunition (Qty 25 rnds minimum)
Miscellaneous Items:
I am almost finished. These are items that didn’t really fit into any of the other categories, but they’re just as important for inclusion in your bug out bag. Chances are some of the items will have you scratching your head, but rest assured you will want these items in your bug out bag.
550 Parachute Cord (50′)
Extra Eye Glasses (if applicable)
Cotton Bandana (3)
Duct Tape (1 roll)
Compressed Button Towels (20 Count)
55 Gal. Contractor Garbage Bag (Qty 2 per person)
Resealable Bags (Qty 5, Various Sizes)
Sunglasses
N95 Face Mask
Sewing Kit
Latex Tubing (3’)
Fishing Kit
Condoms (Non-lubricated)
Binoculars (Optional)
Face Paint
Military Surplus Survival Snare Wire/ snare kit
The bug out bag list above is only intended as a guide for you to have a place to start. It is not "One Size Fits All" You have to decide what is right for you to augment your skills so that it will help you the most.
Remember 72 hours... Keep It Light...Plan, Survive, Thrive.
Please, You owe it to yourself and your loved ones to do your own research and come to your own conclusions.
Your bug out bag will not keep you alive if you do not have the knowledge to go with it.
Gear can not replace knowledge. It is intended to help you survive a bug out scenario in conjunction with knowledge.
Learn Now, Survive Later.
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