Essential Items For Every Bug Out Bag
Any prepper who includes the possibility of bugging out needs a fully equipped bug out bag. Whether purchased together or separately, high quality supplies and a good quality bag are of utmost importance. After all, your life may some day depend on these items.
Although each person will have different needs for their individual bag, there are some essential items for every bug out bag. We recommend including the following items:
Flashlight - The best flashlights for a bug out bag are those that will operate using AA or AAA batteries. These batteries are much less expensive than some of the alternatives which enables the prepping budget to go farther. Any flashlight being considered for a bug out bag must be waterproof.
Extra Batteries - Be sure to have extra batteries for each in the group to replace their set at least one time while traveling to the bug out location. It is helpful if everyone has a flashlight that is powered by the same battery type.
Light Sticks - Using light sticks allows movement during the dark hours of the night with less risk of revealing ones location to an unwelcome visitor. The light given off by light sticks can easily be hidden.
Multi-tool - A multi-tool is an excellent option for carrying multiple tools without taking up too much valuable space.
Compact Shovel - Shovels have a variety of uses ranging from burying/retrieving caches to burying waste or even digging a hiding place.
Mess Kit - Mess kits should include reusable utensils. These can be made from a heavy duty plastic or even stainless steel. Plastic is lighter for those who are concerned about the weight of their bug out bag. Stainless steel is more durable for a longer lasting solution.
First Aid Kit - At the very least a basic first aid kit should be included in every bug out bag. Situations arise in every day life that require one of these. They will be even more necessary during a chaotic event.
Dehydrated Food - No bug out bag should be without some sort of food. A three day supply of food should be carried in each bag to allow the individual to reach their bug out location without going hungry.
Filtered Water Bottle - A water bottle that contains a good filter can be the difference between life and death. Check out our review of the Sawyer Water Treatment Bottle! Capable of filtering up to 100,000 gallons of water before needing changed out, the Sawyer Water Treatment Bottle will provide enough fresh, clean drinking water for months of use!
Tarps - A good tarp can be the difference between sleeping unprotected and having a shelter.
Radio - Unless there is an EMP strike, a radio will provide information about the conditions in the world during times of chaos. I recommend purchasing a hand crank or solar powered radio, or even picking up one that can be powered either way. This reduces the need for even more batteries.
Fixed Blade Knife - A fixed blade knife can help with tasks such as collecting and splitting kindling for fires and even gathering materials for building a shelter.
Folding Knife - Good quality folding knives are great for cleaning and preparing food to cutting cord and everything in between. The Piranta uses disposable blades so you always have a sharp knife.
Rain Suit - A short rain shower is all it takes for a less than desirable situation to turn bad in a hurry. A good quality rain suit is another essential item for every bug out bag.
Multiple Fire Starters - Every bug out bag should include multiple ways to start a fire. Cigarette lighters and magnesium fire starters are a couple of great choices. Another great choice is a credit card sized magnifying glass. They are not only inexpensive, but they will not add a lot of weight to your bob.
Fire Starting Aids - Small amounts of tinder can be packed into a ziplock type baggie to make fire starting easier. An alternative to this can be made at home without the need to spend much money at all. For instructions on making homemade fire starters check out Simple Homemade Firestarters.
Paracord - This handy cord can be used for anything from securing a tarp when building a shelter to makeshift shoelaces.
The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list, but rather a good starting point. As I stated before, everyone will have their own individual needs to take into consideration. This makes it impossible to put together a list that is all inclusive. Another item included in my bug out bag is a .22 caliber handgun and a couple hundred rounds of ammunition. I chose the .22 because both the gun and the ammo are fairly lightweight, but quite capable of getting the job done when push comes to shove.
Every bug out bag should be fully loaded with the essential items and placed in a location that makes it as easy as possible to grab it and go without any hesitation. If a SHTF situation arrises, it will be necessary to leave in a hurry. Leaving without the necessities would almost certainly prove to be a disastrous if not a fatal mistake.
- A prep a day can keep ill fate at bay