Bug Out Bags & Emergency Survival Gear

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A Bug out bag is basically a large survival kit that’s filled with everything you need to survive after a disaster. A Bug Out Bag allows you quickly grab what you need, should you be forced to evacuate during a disaster.

Most experts suggest that your BOB should contain enough supplies to last for at least seventy-two hours.  Since most major disasters often disrupt services and normal life for longer than 72 hours, we think it is a good idea to have a Bag that will allow you survive for an indefinite period of time.

Make sure your Bag is built to fit your needs; some people may need items that are not listed on this list. Remember that these are just some general guidelines meant to help you get your bag together. When putting your bag together you need take into consideration any special needs or items that you or your family might require. Below we discuss some of the items that you may want to include in your Bug Out Bags, as well as some items that will hold up when it really counts.

What items should be in your Bug Out Bag?

This will depend on a number of factors, such as the area you live in (climate, elevation, etc….) But the basics are as follows:

• A disaster plan that includes the location of emergency areas, rallying points, multiple evacuation routes, maps of the area, trail maps, etc. (make sure you use a water proof laminate to protect your plans).
• First Aid Kit Possible Kits to look at are as follows:
  1. Ever Ready First Aid Fully Stocked First Responder Kit
  2. Lifeline 4038 Red Premium Hard Shell First Aid Kit
  3. Adventure Medical Kits Adventure First Aid
• Professional Survival Book This should be studied beforehand and kept for reference during a disaster. Recommended books are:
  1. The Ultimate Situational Survival Guide: Self-Reliance Strategies for a Dangerous World
  2. SAS Survival Handbook: How to Survive in the Wild, in Any Climate, on Land or at Sea
  3. When All Hell Breaks Loose
  4. US Army Survival Manual: FM 21-76
• Water bottles and metal canteen cup
  1. Stainless Steel GI Type Canteen Cup Great for Boiling and Sterilizing water
  2. Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Water Bottles *Sturdy Water Bottles that can be used to boil water
• Clothing Socks, gloves, rain suit, poncho, jacket, hat, bandannas, and clothing for your environment
• A few assorted knives Recommended Knives:
  1. The Seal Pup By SOG is one of my favorite Knives, it is one of the best knife I have found)
  2. Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Campanion Fixed Blade Knife
• Camp Axe & Shovel
  1. Fiskars Splitting Axe 23.5-Inch #7853
  2. Gerber 45905 Camp Axe – Sheath – Clam
  3. Folding Spade NATO Approved Knife from Gerber Knives
• Flashlights
  1. ZeroHour XD Tactical Flashlight
  2. Gerber 22-80010 Infinity Ultra LED Task Light, Green
  3. Surefire 6PX Defender
• Radio A must to keep up on what is going on.
  1. Baofeng Black UV-5R V2+ Plus
• Fire Starting Waterproof Matches, a couple of Lighters, Tinder and one of the following:
  1. Ultimate Survival Technologies BlastMatch All Weather Firestarter (orange)
  2. Light My Fire Original Swedish FireSteel
• MultiTool
  1. Leatherman 830040 New Wave Multi-Tool with Nylon Sheath
  2. Leatherman 830160 Surge Pocket Multitool with Leather Sheath
• Cordage (wide variety of uses, traps, etc….) *550 Paracord
• CASH & Documents have some extra cash in your bag, as well as a copy of all your important documents (SS Card, I.D., Fishing hunting License, Gun License, etc…)
• Firearm(s) and ammunition.
  1. A 10/22 Ruger is a great all around survival gun that will never fail and will last forever. Ammo is dirt cheap usually costing somewhere around $20 for 500 rounds. It also has a ton of  aftermarket gear.
• WATER 1 Gallon per day per person (or enough to get you by until you find a clean source of water)
• Water Purifiers & Filters: (Any one below would be a good choice)
  1. SteriPEN Traveler
  2. Katadyn Pocket Water Microfilter
  3. Katadyn TRK Drip Ceradyn Water Filter
  4. Lifesaver Bottle 4000 Ultra Filtration Water Bottle
  5. Katadyn Combi Water Microfilter
• MulitVitamins Keep your strength up as your diet changes
• Extra Medicine *If needed because of preexisting condition
• Navigation Compass, Maps, GPS, etc….
  1. Suunto MC-2/360/G/D/L Compass
  2. Brunton Pocket Transit Conventional Compass with 0-360 Degree Scale
• Communication Portable C.B or Ham Radio
• Fishing Gear Bobbers Hooks, fishing line, small collapsible pole
• Emergency Food Stuff that will last and give you the most bang for your buck ( peanut butter, jerky, sardines, granola bars, salt, dried fruit, MRE’s, etc…)
  1. Sardines
  2. Clif Bar Energy Bars, 2.4-Ounce Bars (Pack of 24)
  3. 3600 Calorie ER Bar – Emergency Food Ration
• Shelter Sleeping bag, tent, tarp, etc….
• Extra Batteries
  1. Energizer NH15BP-4 ACCU 2500mAh Rechargeable AA Batteries (Four-pack) * rechargeable with solar charger below
• Solar Charge
  1. Sunjack Solar Charger
  2. Goal Zero Nomad
  3. Brunton 26 Watt Foldable Solar Array Great for powering small electronics
• Signal Devices Flares, Signaling Mirror, Whistle
• Duct tape
• Misc Candles, Safety Pins, sewing needles and thread, Playing Cards for entertainment, Wire for snaring.

by Off The Grid