When starting out, planning your bug out bag can be a daunting task. Everyone seems to go through the same process: What to pack? How much? Is this the right bug out bag? Do I need this? DO I REALLY NEED THIS? So to relieve some tension and help get over the initial hump of starting your bug out bag, we have come up with a list of bug out bag essentials that no bag is without. A good rule of thumb when planning how long you could be out there is 72 hours.
Bug Out Bag Essentials:
1. A comfortable fitting bag.
You’re going to need something to carry everything in, so find yourself a bag that fits correctly. The first thing I did when looking for a bag is I hit up a couple camping and outdoor stores in my area and picked their brains on what was the right bag for me. I am lucky enough to live near a couple great stores that have a good selection of packs that make perfect bug out bags. The REI I go to takes pride in having a knowledgeable staff that will fit you for the right bag, I am sure you will find that great service at any location. REI is a little more on the pricey side, and they tend to cater to the higher end camper, but you can find some good deals and they know what they are talking about. The Gander Mountain near me might not be as helpful, but they have a killer selection of bags available at a more affordable price. If price is a factor which it should be, getting your bug out bag ready can be costly, there are a couple other options. Amazon has a lot of hiking backpacks to choose from and they tend to be slightly cheaper than bought at a brick and mortar store. Also you will find out that a military surplus store is a great place to find bug out bag supplies on a budget. We will go into more specific bag fittings later on.
2. GPS or a compass.
Most of the time you know where you’re going, either you are trying to make it home or you have a planned “escape route” but you don’t want to get caught without some direction which makes a compass or GPS a definite candidate for bug out bag essentials. You have some options when it comes to this:
- Compass.
- Stand alone GPS.
- Smartphone.
Each person has their own preference, mine is the old fashioned compass. It’s small, always works (unless you’re at the North Pole). You can also get one pretty much attached to anything like a zipper pull or a carabiner. Another great option if you’re looking to spend some money is a GPS. They range anywhere in price from $100 – $600 dollars. One that I really like is the Garmin eTrex 10 Worldwide Handheld GPS Navigator. It has a 20 hour battery life based on two AA batteries. Which leads me to the third option: The Smartphone. Most people have their phone on them in an emergency so GPS is as easy as making sure it’s enabled, but I know my phone is never charged enough to last an afternoon let alone for 72 hours.
3. Water
Remember the saying “Drink 8 cups of water a day”? Well that equals out to be almost two liters of water and if you’re planning on being out 72 hours that is about 6 liters which is an extra 13 pounds to carry! Do you really need that much water? The simple answer is No. You should plan on having 3 liters for 72 hours. You also don’t want to pack water and just leave it sitting for extended periods of time, the best solution that we have found is to pack a collapsible water bottle and keep sealed plastic water bottles near your pack that you rotate out. For your bug out bag essentials there are also things we can do to supplement this if you’re planning on being out for a longer time. Water purification tablets or a LifeStraw Personal Water Filter make for easy longer term solutions.
4. Shelter
You have a couple choices when it comes to a “roof” over your head. You can pack a light one man tent like the ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 1-Person Tent which packs down to 6 by 17 in and weighs 4 lb, 1 oz. This can be easily hung off the back or bottom of a bug out bag. Another option is a simple tarp and some 550 paracord. This can make a world of difference, it weighs next to nothing, takes up no room, and can be set up in almost any situation. Staying dry is key and is essential to comfortable survival.
5. Footwear
One thing you don’t want to skimp when looking into bug out bag essentials is footwear. You need to find a good pair of boots or shoes that fit and are sturdy. This all depends on the terrain around you, if you’re in a more urban environment you want to look into a hiking shoe, if you are in a more rural area you probably want a hiking boot. When looking into footwear you either want a pair that is waterproof or water resistant and breathable. Chances are you’re going to be on your feet a lot, you don’t want to forget about socks. Whatever you do, stay away from cotton socks, wool is your friend. It will keep you warm, it will keep you cool, it will keep you dry.
6. Tools
This is where your bag can get heavy quickly. You really need to figure out what is important to you and your location. For your bug out bag essentials a knife will go a long way in any scenario. A fixed blade or a well constructed folding knife such as a CRKT, Benchmade, or Kershaw is a must. A multi-tool is also something you want to consider. We will go much much deeper into this another section.
7. First Aid Kit
As we come to the end of our bug out bag essentials, we arrive at one on the most important topics. Having a first aid kit and knowing how to use it can make or break a bug out situation. You can either make your own or buy a pre made kit. The benefit to making your own is that you know what exactly is in it and how much you have of it, you won’t be caught by surprise and you can customize it to your location. The American Red Cross is a great resource for planning what you need and quantities of supplies.
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