The best way to define a “bug out bag” is to use a real-life scenario. You just got word there is a raging wildfire headed for your home (something Californians are dealing with right now). You have exactly ten minutes to get out of your home. Because you are not sure if you home will survive the fire, or how long you may be living out of your car, you will need to grab just a few essentials and run. That’s when bug out bags come in handy.
Our bug out bags are actually two old backpacks that we had retired from everyday use, and a duffle bag like the one shown above. My wife and I share the duffle, and each kid has their own bug out bag with kid-friendly survival gear tucked away in their closet. They know that if mom or dad runs to their room and screams, “Hurry, we have to bug out of here!” they are to grab only their bags and get out of the house as quickly as possible.
It’s worth mentioning here that taking time to open the closet door and grab the bag is a luxury of advanced notice – any notice. If there is an immediate danger (intruder, fire inside the home, etc.) the kids know to just get out with their lives. Be sure to emphasize the different scenarios and come up with a code word or phrase so the kids will know when to grab their bug out bags and when to just get out as quickly as possible.
What Goes In a Bug Out Bag?
We add inventory to our bug out bags as we accumulate things, so this will probably become a living list. My personal bug out bag consists of more survival gear than the ones for the kids. It’s a little heavier, and there are a few things in there that I do not want stored in their rooms (fire starting gear, a small axe, etc.). Their bags have mostly things like a change of clothes, an emergency contact card, a blanket, a couple water bottles, etc.).
Our “survival gear” bug out bag has the following contents:
- A couple rations of food (high-calorie bars). We also have a few packs of Ramen noodles because they have a lot of calories and are easy to prepare, but are extremely light.
- Flashlights. One in each bag. Never burn more than one light at a time to preserve batteries. A hand-crank light is good here, too, for battery-less operation.
- Batteries. To power flashlights, mainly. Be sure to have the right size for your equipment, and pack plenty of extras.
- Glow sticks. When flashlights and batteries run out.
- Hand-crank emergency radio. Great for power outages, and if you are on the run, good for keeping up with emergency broadcast.
- Multi-tool. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere without a good multi-tool!
- Knives. We have several kinds of knives. A folding camp knife with a saw edge, a Swiss Army knife with attachments, a large, fixed-blade survival knife, etc.).
- Change of clothes. Lean towards cold weather gear, and consider an emergency rain poncho.
- Water purification tablets/drops. For treating water before drinking when boiling is not practical, or in addition to boiling just to be safe.
- Stainless steel Kanteen. This 40 oz. mug can be hung over an open flame for boiling water to kill bacteria/parasites found in untreated water.
- Emergency blankets. These Mylar blankets are good to have on hand – we even keep a couple in our car’s glove box.
- Fire-starter materials. Range of materials for starting a fire. We have a butane torch lighter, a magnesium stick, water proof matches, kindling sticks, cotton balls and petroleum jelly.
- Rope/cord. Some 550 paracord is good to have for tying up food, making a shelter, and dozens of other uses.
- Compass. Nothing elaborate, just one that consistently and reliably gives you a north heading.
- Map of your surrounding area. Check out a local visitor center or convenience store to pick up a local and state map.
- Signal mirror. If you are stranded and in need of rescue, a signal mirror is a good way to get a pilot’s attention.
- A safety whistle for each family member. Again, good for rescue situations. You can make a lot more noise for less energy with a whistle than screaming. This is also a good way to find each other if you get separated. Tell everyone to whistle periodically and follow the sound.
- Couple fishing lures and line. You never know when you might have to seek refuge near a river or body of water. Don’t kick yourself for not having a little fishing line and a few hooks.
- Camp axe. One of the first things I check for when camping. Great for splitting firewood, chopping down a small tree for shelter, etc.
- First aid kit. Large kits take up a lot of room, so look for something compact with the basics, or a soft-sided, notebook size kit.
- Survival handbook. Read it before you need the info, but store it in your bug out bag for reference.
- Roll of duct tape. Needs no further explanation, really.
- Cash and coins. Store a couple hundred in cash in a waterproof tube, and consider taking a long a roll or two of quarters.
- Ziploc bags. Great for waterproofing, food rationing, etc.
- Deck of cards (to fight boredom). Don’t discount the psychological aspects of survival. After a day or two, boredom will set in and you’ll be glad to have a deck of cards to pass the time.
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I was thinkig, would it not be better to have one of those water bottels that can purify the water instead of tablets. Yes I know it takes more space but you don´t run out of tablets.
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@Helena: Yes, not a bad idea at all. Sure, it takes up a bit more room, but for clean water it’s probably worth it. Thanks for commenting!
My husband and I have similar backpacks that we keep in our vehicles. I’ve also added a toothbrush and toothpaste (for me that is survival!) a clean tee-shirt, and change of underwear and socks. I also plan to stash some cash in there as well.
If you had to be gone for longer than you expected,
Packets of seeds are a cheep light addition to any B.O.B.
Filter straws (Aquamira), ponchos, tarp, small fish tackle kit, chapstick, emergency candles, Off!, and LifeCaps. LifeCaps is a vitamin food supplement pill that you can actually live on if no other food source is available. Google it.