For those of you who are not familiar with the term "bug out bag", don't worry, it’s not related to bugs or insects in any way. Instead, the bug out bag is a portable survival kit packed with items that can help victims of a disaster live until they can be evacuated.
You may be trapped in an urban environment due to a natural calamity, or you may be trapped in a jungle or desert region. The bug out bag is always prepared prior to going on any journey or excursion, and you prepare the contents according to the place you will be touring or exploring.
Every bug out bag contains basic items such as sufficient water for at least three days, as well as food in the form of energy bars, and ready to cook meals. The primary difference between a bug a bug out bag and a survival kit is that, a bug out bag is geared towards helping you "bug out" or bail out, to help you get to the evacuation point. A survival kit is designed for you to hold a particular location and survive until support arrives.
The bug out bag is a must have for adventurists, military personnel, or for people living in disaster prone areas. In fact a bug out bag is a great thing to have even if you are not an adventurist or fighter, as it contains items such as first aid kits and self-defense weapons such as personal firearms.
With that said, here are the most important items you must have in your bug out bag-
1.Water- The most basic necessity for a human being after air, you must carry sufficient water to survive for at least 3 days. The minimum requirement for an adult is 2-3 liters per day. You also need to carry a water filtering device, and one of the most simple and portable options for filtering water is the filtration straw, or LifeStraw. You will also be carrying iodine tablets and filtration cloth.
2. Food- You will need to carry compact, easy to prepare and non-perishable food items. Some great examples are- energy bars, freeze dried meals and MRE's. You will also be carrying a can opener, metal utensil for boiling water and food, as well as a metal cup. A portable stove is also a great addition, if you have the space, or else you will find yourself hunting around for fuel when you get trapped. If you are not comfortable with gathering natural combustible materials such as wood and dry leaves, we recommend carrying a portable stove.
3. Clothing- Clothing is ideally carried if you are going for a hiking trip or excursion, and you should pack the clothes based on the climate and terrain of your destination. Typical clothing setup includes a sturdy pair of boots, a lightweight long sleeve shirt, convertible(zip-off) pants, underwear, wool hiking socks(carry 3 pairs), a hat, rain poncho, bandana and shemaugh. You can also include other types of clothing based on whether the climate is hot, or cold or rainy, but these are the basics.
4. Shelter- A shelter allows you to safely spend the night in a dangerous place, or protect yourself from the desert sandstorms and rain forest downpours. You will be needing items such as a tarp, tent and a sleeping bag. Never sleep on the bare ground, as it will drain away your body heat and worse, never sleep on wet surfaces unless you want to catch a fever or even worse, damage your skin. You will want to construct a makeshift platform from leaves and twigs if you have not bought a ground pad. Also useful is a blanket.
5. Fire- Any survival situation calls for you to make a fire- whether it be to stay warm during the cold nights, or to ward off predators, a fire is absolutely essential to you. You need to carry three different ways of starting a fire, including a fire stone and knife. Also, carry tinder and store the fire making kit inside a water proof package as you don't want to end up with damp tinder or matchsticks.
6. First aid kit- It is readily available these days, and you should carry some form of insect repellant along with the first aid kit.
7. Essential tools- A survival knife is the most crucial tool in your entire bug out bag. It can be paired with a straight knife and should always be kept close in case of any emergency. The survival knife can be a simple folding knife, or a multipurpose knife with various tools embedded into the handle. Just make sure it is durable and has a sharp blade.
8. Weapons- This is strictly personal preference, but weapons could come in really handy in dangerous places and it is often better to have one rather than regret the lack of a weapon when danger strikes you. You could carry your personal firearm or any other portable form of protection that you prefer, but it better be enough to stop humans as well as animals ( Zombies may require more firepower).
And remember to buy the actual bag or backpack AFTER you buy the contents of the bag. You don't need to be an adventurist or survival expert to posses a bug out bag, but life is unpredictable and it is always better to be safe rather than sorry.
You may be trapped in an urban environment due to a natural calamity, or you may be trapped in a jungle or desert region. The bug out bag is always prepared prior to going on any journey or excursion, and you prepare the contents according to the place you will be touring or exploring.
Every bug out bag contains basic items such as sufficient water for at least three days, as well as food in the form of energy bars, and ready to cook meals. The primary difference between a bug a bug out bag and a survival kit is that, a bug out bag is geared towards helping you "bug out" or bail out, to help you get to the evacuation point. A survival kit is designed for you to hold a particular location and survive until support arrives.
The bug out bag is a must have for adventurists, military personnel, or for people living in disaster prone areas. In fact a bug out bag is a great thing to have even if you are not an adventurist or fighter, as it contains items such as first aid kits and self-defense weapons such as personal firearms.
With that said, here are the most important items you must have in your bug out bag-
1.Water- The most basic necessity for a human being after air, you must carry sufficient water to survive for at least 3 days. The minimum requirement for an adult is 2-3 liters per day. You also need to carry a water filtering device, and one of the most simple and portable options for filtering water is the filtration straw, or LifeStraw. You will also be carrying iodine tablets and filtration cloth.
2. Food- You will need to carry compact, easy to prepare and non-perishable food items. Some great examples are- energy bars, freeze dried meals and MRE's. You will also be carrying a can opener, metal utensil for boiling water and food, as well as a metal cup. A portable stove is also a great addition, if you have the space, or else you will find yourself hunting around for fuel when you get trapped. If you are not comfortable with gathering natural combustible materials such as wood and dry leaves, we recommend carrying a portable stove.
3. Clothing- Clothing is ideally carried if you are going for a hiking trip or excursion, and you should pack the clothes based on the climate and terrain of your destination. Typical clothing setup includes a sturdy pair of boots, a lightweight long sleeve shirt, convertible(zip-off) pants, underwear, wool hiking socks(carry 3 pairs), a hat, rain poncho, bandana and shemaugh. You can also include other types of clothing based on whether the climate is hot, or cold or rainy, but these are the basics.
4. Shelter- A shelter allows you to safely spend the night in a dangerous place, or protect yourself from the desert sandstorms and rain forest downpours. You will be needing items such as a tarp, tent and a sleeping bag. Never sleep on the bare ground, as it will drain away your body heat and worse, never sleep on wet surfaces unless you want to catch a fever or even worse, damage your skin. You will want to construct a makeshift platform from leaves and twigs if you have not bought a ground pad. Also useful is a blanket.
5. Fire- Any survival situation calls for you to make a fire- whether it be to stay warm during the cold nights, or to ward off predators, a fire is absolutely essential to you. You need to carry three different ways of starting a fire, including a fire stone and knife. Also, carry tinder and store the fire making kit inside a water proof package as you don't want to end up with damp tinder or matchsticks.
6. First aid kit- It is readily available these days, and you should carry some form of insect repellant along with the first aid kit.
7. Essential tools- A survival knife is the most crucial tool in your entire bug out bag. It can be paired with a straight knife and should always be kept close in case of any emergency. The survival knife can be a simple folding knife, or a multipurpose knife with various tools embedded into the handle. Just make sure it is durable and has a sharp blade.
8. Weapons- This is strictly personal preference, but weapons could come in really handy in dangerous places and it is often better to have one rather than regret the lack of a weapon when danger strikes you. You could carry your personal firearm or any other portable form of protection that you prefer, but it better be enough to stop humans as well as animals ( Zombies may require more firepower).
And remember to buy the actual bag or backpack AFTER you buy the contents of the bag. You don't need to be an adventurist or survival expert to posses a bug out bag, but life is unpredictable and it is always better to be safe rather than sorry.