How To: Build a Bug Out Bag

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What is a Bug Out Bag?
========================

/The term "Bugging Out" means unexpectedly leaving your home or current living quarters following a major disaster, riots, police or military invasion. A "Bug Out Bag" is a pre prepared survival kit designed to sustain you for at least 72 hours after you have "Bug Out" in the event of an emergency evacuation. The Bug Out Bag [BOB] is a self-contained kit designed to get you through at least 72 hours.  This kit is also referred to as a 72-Hour Bag, a Get Out Of Dodge Bag [GOOD Bag], an EVAC Bag, and a Battle Box.

/Evacuating your home due to a sudden threat is not unrealistic, this has happened many times before weather it be from a natural disaster (Such as a hurricane, tornado, tsunami, storms, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, ect) or from mass riots, police and/or military invasions and economic collapse and disease outbreaks. These events can knock out some, if not all necessities [Such as houses, vehicles, roads, telecommunications, medical facilities, food and water supply, electricity, finance and fuel]. We simply cannot control when, where or how these things happen, we can only control how prepared we are and how we can deal with disasters. Your bug out bag will be your #1 resource when these things happen. Also, DO NOT make your bag look too "Tricked out" because that alone can make you a target to other people, in unrest, people will do ANYTHING to survive, they may rob you or even kill you for your stuff! Be careful.


/So, what goes in a Bug Out Bag?

/Below is a list of items that you should consider packing in your bag:



.::Clothing::.
=================

/This category is what I would suggest you have ready. Some of these items can be worn on your person when you leave.

-> Military style backpack or rucksack. [I suggest you get one with lots of pockets and belt loops for attaching things to, you can find these type of bags either online or at any Army/NAVY surplus store].

-> 2 pairs of pants [NOT jeans and NOT 100% cotton! Get military issue pants that are water resistant and have lots of pockets].

-> 1 base layer thermal underwear.

-> 3 pairs of wool hiking socks.

-> 2 changes of underwear.

-> 1 hat. [Either a tilly hat or warm beanie].

-> 2 extra shirts [1 long sleeve, 1 short sleeve].

-> 1 mid-weight fleece

-> 1 warm rain jacket

-> 1 heavy duty military rain poncho. [Can be found and many Army/NAVY surplus stores].

-> 1 pair of comfortable waterproof hiking boots. [NOT running shoes or skate shoes!].

-> Sunglasses. [Can be used as safety glasses].

-> Wrist watch. [One with a 24 hour clock and/or altitude meter].

-> Military issue gas mask with 1-2 extra filters.

-> Leather work gloves.

-> 2 bandannas. [100s of uses].



.::Food, Water and Preparation::.
==================================

/One of the most important things for basic human survival.

-> 3 liters of water. [AT LEAST, keep in a camel-bak and/or Army issue canteen or a nalgene water bottle].

-> Sodium chlorate water purification tablets AND survival filtration straw. [ALWAYS have at least 3 ways to access clean drinking water].

-> Canned food. [Such as meats and beans].

-> Military MREs. [They are small, have a long shelf life and contain their own heating systems].

-> Energy bars AND candy bars. [These both contain high calories and carbs. Both are VERY important].

-> A small cooking kit, 1 small metal pot, a spork, a metal cup and a metal pan or plate.

-> Small, lightweight camping stove with 2-3 fuel canisters. [Preferably a self-igniting one].



.::Shelter::.
===============

/Another basic human need.

-> Reflective emergency survival blanket. [I suggest one called the "Heatsheet" because it can be used as a sleeping bag and a tarp-tent shelter].

-> 6'x10' waterproof rip-stop nylon tarp.

-> Small, lightweight camping tent.

-> 10'-20' of rope or para cord. [For shelter construction].

-> 3-4 large garbage bags. [Water collection and shelter].

-> 1 roll of duct tape. [100s of uses].

-> Small sleeping bag. [30-40 degree bag].

-> 8 or more Zip Ties. [100s of uses].

-> Wool blanket. [Optional, keeps 80% of warmth even when soaking wet].

-> 4 or more stakes. [Optional].



.::Fire & Light::.
===================

/Making fire is one of the most important survival skills of all time. Its highly recommended that you have at least 3 ways to make fire at all times.

-> 5 or more BIC lighters. [Easy to use and a very good trading item].

-> Waterproof, strike anywhere matches. [Keep them in a waterproof case].

-> Flint and steel. [Can spark in any weather condition].

-> Tinder and kindling. [You can get them at any outdoor shop, I recommend packing a few cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly, keep them in a waterproof container].

-> A package of 9 hour candles.

-> Flashlight. [Pack extra batteries or get a hand cranked flashlight].

-> Head lamp.[Pack extra batteries].



.::First Aid::.
=================

/Its recommended that you build your own first aid kit, you can buy a pre-made one if you want but you might regret it later!

-> 12 or more 1"x3" adhesive bandages.

-> 2 or more 2"x4.5" adhesive bandages.

-> 2 or more adhesive knuckle bandages.

-> 3 or more butterfly closure bandages.

-> 3 or more rolls of gauze dressing.

-> Blister/Burn moleskin bandages.

-> 3 or more satire kits.

-> 5 or more alcohol pads.

-> Medical tape.

-> 1 tensor bandage.

-> 1 or more bottles of sailene.

-> 2 or more pairs of non latex gloves.

-> Tweezers.

-> Medical scissors.

-> 2 or more triangular bandages.

-> 2 or more hydrocortisone ointment packets.

-> Medications. [Prescriptions, Asprin, Ibeprophen, Morphine, Antibiotics, Inhalers, Gravol, ect].

-> First aid instruction booklet.

-> 1 instant cold compress.

-> 5 or more antibiotic ointment packets.

-> 5 or more antiseptic wipes.

-> 1 oral thermometer [Non mercury and non glass].

-> 1 stick of CARMEX lip balm.



.::Tools & Weapons::.
=======================

/The most important tool you can have is a knife, however you will need other tools to help you with plenty of survival tasks such as chopping wood, hunting, and so on. Also, when shit hits the fan, people will do anything to survive. This includes robbing you or even killing you for something that you have. Not packing at least one weapon for self defense is an extremely bad decision and can be a FATAL MISTAKE.

-> 2 Knifes. [A large buck knife and smaller knife such as a switchblade. It is a good idea to get a switchblade with a window breaker and a seat belt cutter because these can be very useful].

-> Multi tool. [These are amazing tools that offer a ton of uses, I suggest getting a Leatherman multi tool because they are very well built].

-> Foldable shovel. [Useful for digging a trench or shelter].

-> Machete. [Clearing bush and chopping wood, ect].

-> Pistol. [Any kind that suits you. I recommend a .9mm or .22mm. Pack at least 3 extra magazines].

-> Rifle. [Good for long range. An SKS would be perfect, again pack at least 3 extra magazines/stripper clips].

-> Small knife sharpener.

-> 100' of Army issue trip wire. [Good for building snares and traps].

-> Small binoculars. [Good for surveying your surroundings and finding your way around, also good for identifying threats from a distance].

-> Small sewing kit. [Fix clothing, shoes and people].

-> Small fishing kit.

-> 36" rubber tubing. [Useful for siphoning fuel and water collection].



.::Personal Items::.
=====================

/Hygiene is VERY important, anything can kill you. Food poisoning, a flu and even diarrhea. Always keep yourself as clean as possible!

-> Basic toiletries. [Toothbrush, toothpaste, bar of soap, scrubbers, toilet paper, razor, shaving cream, face cloth, shampoo, moist towelettes].

-> 2 or more non latex, non lubricated condoms. [Useful for protection from STDs and collecting water].

-> Important documents in a waterproof bag. [Birth certificates, marriage certificates, SSNs, health cards, firearms licenses, drivers licenses, property deeds, bank information, credit cards, wallets, ect].

-> Important keys. [House keys, vehicle keys, safe keys, PO box keyes, safety deposit box keys, ect].

-> Hand sanitizer.



.::Electronics::.
===================

/Now, some of these are not necessary for survival, they are just a good idea to have.

-> HAM radio. [AKA Amature radio. Useful for emergency communications, there are about 830,000 amature radio station in region 2 [The Americas].

-> NOAA weather radio.

-> Cell phone. [With charger AND an extra battery, chances are when shit hits the fan cell communication will be overwhelmed, but SMS messages usually still go through].

-> SSD or USB drives. [Keep pictures of important documents on here, also keep any other important data on here].

-> Hand cranked rechargeable battery.

-> Hand crank AM/FM radio. [May be you only source of information when telecomm goes down].

-> Extra AA and/or AAA batteries.



.::Miscellaneous::.
====================

/Some of these items are optional, but again they may become very useful when bugging out.

-> Maps. [Don't rely on a GPS]

-> Compass.

-> Extra cash. [$500 minimum, because money talks. Or you can use if as fire starter].

-> Glow sticks. [Good source of light, and makes a good signal item].

-> Paper and pencils. [Keep a diary, leave notes, ect].

-> Whistle.

-> P-39 can opener. [Army issue and very small].

-> Earplugs.

-> Gold and silver. [Good for trading].

-> Alcohol. [Cleaning wounds, trading].

-> Marking tape. [Useful for marking trees so you can ma your way around].

-> Gum. [Never expires, can be used for hydration and an adhesive].

-> Deck of cards. [Games/Bordum].

-> Dice. [Games/Bordum].

-> Tobacco. [A very good trading item].



/Remember, life favors those who are prepared!

       .-.
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   `.__.' @Gh0sterSec