Survival Gear: A No-Frills Guide to Building a Bug Out Bag
Essential Items to Pack for Your Emergency Survival Kit
Whether you're a prepper, an outdoors enthusiast, or simply want to be prepared for an unexpected emergency, having a good bug out bag is crucial. Here are some key points to consider:
Prioritize Your Needs
First, assess your physical capabilities. A general guideline is that a 200lb person can carry around 40lbs. If you're in better shape, you may be able to carry more. Remember, your bug out bag could be your lifeline, so going light might not be the best option.
Plan Ahead
Decide on your destination and, if possible, prepare supplies ahead of time at that location. Your bug out plan should be unique to your situation, so make sure it's tailored to your needs.
Invest in a Quality Backpack
When selecting a backpack, opt for something durable, comfortable, and large enough to hold all your gear. Avoid cheap options—you don't want your survival kit to fall apart when you need it most. A tactical backpack with molle straps might be a good choice, but stay away from anything too loud or military-looking, as it could attract unwanted attention.
Essential Items
First Aid Kit
Pack a first aid kit with essentials like bandages, medical supplies, and medications. Don't forget to learn some basic first aid skills or do thorough research so you can treat minor injuries if necessary.
Protection from the Elements
This category covers clothing, shelter, and fire. Dress in layers for varying conditions, and pack a tent, tarp, sleeping bag, and a roll-up camping mat. In terms of clothing, bring pants, shirts, underwear, socks, a hat, a poncho, and a jacket. If you can find earth-toned clothing, it'll help you blend in and avoid drawing attention.
Fire Starting Equipment
Include a Bic lighter, fire striker, and tinder for starting and maintaining fires.
Food and Water
Pack non-perishable items like granola bars, trail mix, MREs (Meals Ready to Eat), snares, fishing lures, line, rat traps, and a slingshot for hunting and fishing. Carry water bottles, a water filter, and water purification tablets.
Tools
Include items like a multi-tool or tactical knife, can opener, EDC kit, rope, compass, flashlight, whistle, signal mirror, and firearms (if legally permissible) in your bug out bag.
Documentation and Cash
Carry important documents like insurance papers, birth certificates, and contact information. It's also a good idea to have at least $500 in $20 bills and some hygiene items like toilet paper, soap, hand towel, and hand sanitizer.
- A first aid kit with essentials like bandages, medical supplies, and medications should be included in your bug out bag.
- To stay warm and protected from the elements, pack clothing, shelter, and fire supplies such as pants, shirts, underwear, socks, a hat, a poncho, a jacket, a tent, tarp, sleeping bag, a roll-up camping mat, and fire starting equipment like a Bic lighter, fire striker, and tinder.
- For food and water, pack non-perishable items like granola bars, trail mix, MREs (Meals Ready to Eat), snares, fishing lures, line, rat traps, and a slingshot, as well as water bottles, a water filter, and water purification tablets.
- A high-quality backpack is crucial for your survival kit, so invest in a durable, comfortable, and large bag with molle straps to hold all your gear.
- A bug out plan should be unique to your situation, so decide on your destination and, if possible, prepare supplies ahead of time at that location.
- To navigate and complete tasks, you'll need tools like a multi-tool or tactical knife, can opener, EDC kit, rope, compass, flashlight, whistle, signal mirror, and firearms (if legally permissible).
- Consider the importance of documentation and cash in a survival situation by carrying important documents like insurance papers, birth certificates, and contact information, as well as at least $500 in $20 bills and some hygiene items like toilet paper, soap, hand towel, and hand sanitizer.
- Adopting a self-sufficient lifestyle can help you prepare for unexpected emergencies, including learning basic first aid skills, researching recipes for cooking with limited resources, and understanding home-and-garden skills for hunting, fishing, and growing food.
