10 Must-Have Items for a Bug Out Bag

[whoeee]

hey

 

[Hippophibia]

this is what you have to hold it to, since there's gotta be almost 2 lbs of NVD and charger, 3 lbs of soft armor, and 10-15 lbs of guns and ammo. You have to be able to RUN with a BOB, far and fast, drop prone when being shot-at, roll, jump up, repeat. Doing that with more than 40 lbs is something almost nobody can manage.

the number of items is a silly measure. What matters is bulk, weight and physical fitness. Most people can't run 100m in 20 seconds carrying NOTHING. Put a 40 lb pack on them and an unburdened campfire girl can outdistance them.

If it has gone so bad that people are shooting at you then it is a discussion of survival and tactical retreat. One has to know when to bugout and not leave it too late, I don't envisage gangs of people hiding in the woods preying on people in the initial phases of calamity. My BoB is also separated into a tactical vest and large backpack. If a person is shooting at you ditch the pack and take action - there is always the possibility of returning and recover the pack. Upfront in a SHTF event the gangs will be looking for soft targets, most likely if you shoot back they will back off. There is no hospital no trauma unit or medivac - it is simply not worth the risk - it is very different to what one would think of a military type operation.

I have no issue with +40 lb backpack. One can also use a wheelbarrow, removal trolley, a furniture trolley, bicycle trolley etc.

I have my BoB with some food and a furniture trolley with an additional 50 lb of dehydrated and vacuum sealed food in large 30L water barrels that can later be used for other items that is a wilderness 'inch' bag for long-term remote survival.

 

[Hippophibia]

An Island to Oneself
http://www.janesoceania.com/suvarov_tom_neale/index.htm

Some light survival reading. This guy back in 1952 went and lived on a remote pacific island for 2 years. Some learning, his vegetable crop initially failed then he realised that he had to hand pollinate the plants as there were no bees etc.. He used a barometer to determine weather and when to go out on his canoe, He took 4-5 pairs of tennis shoes to fish of the sharp corral. He suffered major mental health issues due to being alone - I think he had mental health issues to start with. Why he dispatched all the pigs on the island is a bit strange.

The early pioneers took veg seed and livestock with them. Veg seed is a key to long-term survival.

 

[Hippophibia]

I have clothes and a blanket but I Vacuum packed mine, effectively halves the volume, especially of the wool/fleece items, plus even if I go for a swim with the bag on my back I know they will be dry.

also have a microfibre towel which would double as an extra blanket

I have purchased a number of ultralight dry bags for clothing, food, and sleeping system. There prices have come down quit a bit. Got a few extra from KMart Australia for $2 AUD for the 1l and $8 for the 15L good and sturdy but not ultralight, but the weight is minimal. I can now basically put the entire contents of INCH bag into various dry bags.

 

[Gazrok]

I don't envisage gangs of people hiding in the woods preying on people in the initial phases of calamity. My BoB is also separated into a tactical vest and large backpack. If a person is shooting at you ditch the pack and take action - there is always the possibility of returning and recover the pack.

So toying with the idea of having a fanny pack, with some foods in it, water flavorers, etc. (and having them be poisoned (some specific ones come to mind)). So, if I encounter someone posing such a threat, I can flee leaving the fanny pack for them... Hoping they just go for the no risk, easy score instead. (then maybe track them back to their place and wait for the bastard to die...) But, I'm not sure I'm quite that evil yet.

 

[WilliamShatner]

So toying with the idea of having a fanny pack, with some foods in it, water flavorers, etc. (and having them be poisoned (some specific ones come to mind)). So, if I encounter someone posing such a threat, I can flee leaving the fanny pack for them... Hoping they just go for the no risk, easy score instead. (then maybe track them back to their place and wait for the bastard to die...) But, I'm not sure I'm quite that evil yet.

That is feindish!

 

[Kevin L]

With my BOB, I'm always substituting and changing things as I learn and grow.

It will always be a work in progress.

I'm currently using a Kelty Tioga external frame pack, which I think highly of because of my backpacking experience.

In terms of clothing, I keep it simple: lots of socks, spare pair of jungle boots, and a pair of sandals. I also have a mesh mosquito suit, a high-end gortex rain suit, a backpack cover, form fitting boxer shorts, a pair of shorts, 2 t-shirts, and a pair of jeans. Paracord. Also a sewing kit.

I have a Leatherman tool, a stainless Next Generation Ka-bar, an AR-7 rifle with 5 mags, cleaning kit, and 700 rds. ammo, Glock 19 (Gen 4), 4 mags, 200 rds. 9mm ball ammo. Coleman hatchet.

Small 1 person bivy tent.

Medical stuff includes triple antibiotic ointment, Hibaclens surgical soap, ibuprophen, aspirin, Benadryl, sterile surgical gloves, activated charcoal, Zantac, Rolaids, lice shampoo and spray, toothbrushes, dental floss, baking soda, Tinactin, gauze, surgical tape, caffiene tablets, band-aids, vitamins, Cipro tablets, tetracycline capsules, insect repellant, some other things.

Foodwise, I have peanut butter, envelope-style tuna, beef jerky, some freeze-dried hiking food.

Fire come from several Bics, a Zippo (with fluid, wicks, and flints), a magnesium bar fire starter, magnifying glass, and flint strikers.

I have a Katadyn ceramic filter with spare parts and spare filter element. I also have a few collapsible water bottles. I also have tincture of iodine instead of tablets, since I can use tincture of iodine to treat wounds and purify water.

I have a small stainless steel hiking pot with lid, a spork, and Dr. Bonner's castille soap, which is good for clothes, dishes, dogs, and people.

I have a combination hand-crank radio/flashlight, and a minimag light with AA batteries.

Also Gorilla Tape, Superglue, compass, and binoculars.

There are some other things. I usually keep lockpicks and shims in the BOB, maps, and also a few books.

It seems like a lot, but it's actually a lot lighter than soneone might think.

I've been debating whether I should add silver and/or gold coins to the pack.

I live in a very tropical environment, so I omit blankets and wool clothes.

 

[Sander]

For my area I would choose:

1. Thermal blanket
2. A T-shirt and a pair of socks. (Depending of season)
3. Second cellphone with headphones for radio and prepaid card (also a small battery bank) There is basically no area that is not covered with internet in Estonia.
Cellphone is also good for a second flashlight or GPS. You can also use it as a radio with headphones.
4. A small fishing kit - there are a lot's of smaller lakes and ponds to go fishing and gather some food.
5. Flaslight
6. 3 Liters of water
7. Canned meat and packed macaroni (salt, pepper sugar, instant coffee)
8. A tarp for shelter
9. Good knife and firesteel
10. First aid kit

 

[Squirtgunsquirter]

This is for bugging out? So, it's SHTF and I'm heading to the BOL.

Call it a 3 hour trip by vehicle. 3 days on foot, carrying a decent amount of weight. 6 days by water, the river is bendy.

I won't carry more than 45 pounds.

Whatever the mode of travel...
1. Shelter. Ultralight tent, or hammock.
2. Silnylon or lightweight tarp.
3. Camp stove. Whatever, as long as it's small, light, and works.
4. A few meals worth of freeze dried meals and some instant oatmeal packs.
5. Water filter.
6. Sleeping bag.
7. Some odds and ends. Multitool, flashlight, some batteries, passport and I.D.'s, tourniquet, small first aid kit, paper map, gallon Ziploc bags, compass.
8. Bag of tobacco, and rolling papers.
9. Couple extra magazines for pistol and rifle.
10. Nothing, in case I find something.

If it's more than a few days, I should have put together an I.N.C.H bag. But I couldn't in my case, all that stuff is already at the BOL.

Bug Out bags provide fuel for endless conversation. Which I'm not against.

I don't count armor, rifle, pistol, knife, mags. All that is a given.

And the weight of those things mean no carried water, no wet rations, no long term survival items.

I'm bugging out?

I have a destination, and multiple mapped routes to get there.

 

[Kevin L]

This is for bugging out? So, it's SHTF and I'm heading to the BOL.

Call it a 3 hour trip by vehicle. 3 days on foot, carrying a decent amount of weight. 6 days by water, the river is bendy.

I won't carry more than 45 pounds.

Whatever the mode of travel...
1. Shelter. Ultralight tent, or hammock.
2. Silnylon or lightweight tarp.
3. Camp stove. Whatever, as long as it's small, light, and works.
4. A few meals worth of freeze dried meals and some instant oatmeal packs.
5. Water filter.
6. Sleeping bag.
7. Some odds and ends. Multitool, flashlight, some batteries, passport and I.D.'s, tourniquet, small first aid kit, paper map, gallon Ziploc bags, compass.
8. Bag of tobacco, and rolling papers.
9. Couple extra magazines for pistol and rifle.
10. Nothing, in case I find something.

If it's more than a few days, I should have put together an I.N.C.H bag. But I couldn't in my case, all that stuff is already at the BOL.

Bug Out bags provide fuel for endless conversation. Which I'm not against.

I don't count armor, rifle, pistol, knife, mags. All that is a given.

And the weight of those things mean no carried water, no wet rations, no long term survival items.

I'm bugging out?

I have a destination, and multiple mapped routes to get there.

Why tobacco and rolling papers?

I know why I might carry pipe tobacco and/or chewing tobacco. I use moist tobacco to remove leeches. I also include run-resistant panty hose in case I need to wade through stagnant water, as leeches supposedly can't bite through it.

I don't smoke, and I would warn against this post SHTF. Carrying a pack and needing to move requires cardiovascular fitness, and smoking will slow you down.

 

[Squirtgunsquirter]

Well, I'm at the BOL, now, so all this has changed.

I'm going to have to change everything up.

Still need a BOB, in case I have to to leave, but if I had to leave here, I have no idea where I would go!

I suppose 10 to 20 Invaders could force us flee, 100 would be overkill.

Either way, I'd be really tempted to stay around here and harrass them, and try to take this place back.

Maybe I can set up for that?

 

[tmttactical]

@Squirtgunsquirter

At a different forum, a member establish emergency caches in a 360 perimeter around his home location, within a couple of miles. I have selected my nearby retreat location (i/2 mile -- bolt holes), my semi- close location (5 miles) -- fall back and regroup. Anything further will be out of my ability to travel there and have stored supplies. Since you are at your BOL, you might just consider mini cashes for resupply on a temporary basis. These cashes will allow you the time and resources to plan on how to retrieve your BOL supplies and eliminate those evil doer's. JM2C

 

[Proud Prepper]

Well, I'm at the BOL, now, so all this has changed.

I'm going to have to change everything up.

Still need a BOB, in case I have to to leave, but if I had to leave here, I have no idea where I would go!

I suppose 10 to 20 Invaders could force us flee, 100 would be overkill.

Either way, I'd be really tempted to stay around here and harrass them, and try to take this place back.

Maybe I can set up for that?

Maybe you could come down to my top secret location. We will ask you 4 questions, if you answer all 4 correctly your in, answer even one wrong and your dog food, either way we make use of you.

 

[Squirtgunsquirter]

What kind of dogs?

 

[Proud Prepper]

What kind of dogs?

A black lab mix and a yellow lab, huskie mix with light blue eyes.

 

[Squirtgunsquirter]

Good dogs. If I fail the test, I hope they relish me!

I would want to be eaten by happy dogs.

 

[Skullcrusher]

10 Must-Have Items for a Bug Out Bag

Having a bug out bag, or a 72 hour kit, is a necessity for every person in your family. We never know when an emergency might hit, and three days could be the difference between life and death, in some cases. If something ever happened, a bug out bag is going to be the thing that bails you out.

Here are 10 things that you’ll need to have in a bug out bag for everyone in your family:

10. Blankets

You’re going to need something to keep you warm at night, wherever you might be. Blankets are going to do just that. As opposed to bringing large, bulky blankets, I’d use a space blanket. They keep you very warm and they are lightweight, too. These space blankets will be much easier to lug around in a backpack than a blanket that you have on your bed, at home.

9. Extra Clothes

If you’re forced to use your bug out bag, there is a strong chance that you’ll be forced to face the elements. Sometimes, those elements happen to dampen your body and clothes. If you get wet in the winter and don’t have a change of clothes, you could get hypothermia, or other illnesses.

8. Battery Powered Radio

In emergency situations, the radio might be your only communication to the rest of the world. Being informed of what is going on is extremely vital. If for some reason you can’t use it to get information, at least you’ll be able to jam out to some tunes.

7. Cash

Depending on the emergency that’s happened around you, you might not be able to use credit cards. Putting a little cash in your 72 hour kit could go a long way. You could use it to buy food, clothes, or play presidential flash cards. Some extra green never hurt anyone.

6. Flashlight

A flashlight can be good for a bunch of different things. Not only will it help you get around at night, but it can also be good to help people find you. Turn your flashlight on and wave it at planes or helicopters to come and find you. It could also potentially keep wildlife away from you.

5. Flint

How many of us know how to make a fire? Me neither. Fire is going to be crucial to help keeping you warm, and cooking things, too. Flint makes it really easy to get your fire going, plus it’s small and light to carry around in your bug out bag.

4. Water

An adult needs to drink about a gallon of water per day. Considering that your bug out bag should last you three days, and it should all fit in a backpack, carrying around water might not be the best idea. Instead, you can bring a water bottle with a filter. You can refill your bottle whenever you need to, and it will be clean, healthy water. Another option is taking water purifiers.

3. Food

Finding something that will fit in your backpack might not always be easy, but there is a surprising amount of food that you can pack along. MREs and canned foods are good and easy to pack. Dehydrated foods are another type of food that is easy to pack. Jerky is light, filling and tasty. Make sure that you pack enough for three days, though.

2. Shelter

No, I’m not suggesting that you take a big, fancy tent along with you. A tarp or two can work wonders, though. You can build a lean to, or put a “roof” over your head, at night. It will keep you dry and safe from rain.

1. First Aid Kit

You never know what kind of scrapes and cuts that you might take, in this emergency. A first aid kit should have the bandages and medications that you’ll need to make it through three days, though.

I believe you may have forgot a few simple items. A couple handguns, and rifles with plenty of ammo. A good survival knife, and a few other items necessary to make it after SHTF

 

[Wiredog8]

I am creating BOB list for my friend.
I have the basics as covered through these 8 pages of comments.
The thing I'm having an issue with is that she is a female and I am not.
Ladies, I need your input on thing like toiletries and feminine supplies.
My friend is less than a novice in prepping and doesn't quite comprehend the concept of "travel light".
She is learning though.
I have daughters, but they are of no help to me in this endeavor.

 

[Kevin L]

I am creating BOB list for my friend.
I have the basics as covered through these 8 pages of comments.
The thing I'm having an issue with is that she is a female and I am not.
Ladies, I need your input on thing like toiletries and feminine supplies.
My friend is less than a novice in prepping and doesn't quite comprehend the concept of "travel light".
She is learning though.
I have daughters, but they are of no help to me in this endeavor.

I was a paramedic, and have worked in the medical field for 30 years. If you don't take it as me overstepping my bounds with a stranger in a sensitive area, then suggest a menstrual cup. It's a reusable, hygenic, unobstrusive way for women to deal with the menstral cycle in extreme environments.

I hope I didn't cause offense.

 

[bigpaul]

I am so far away from any big city or large urban centre, several hundreds of miles, that bugging out really dosent make any sense.
I have 5 or 6 bolt holes I can relocate to for short periods but only in extreme circumstances and only as a last resort.