The human mind is a quirky thing. It is by nature forgetful, and it sometimes short-circuits in times of stress.
That's why we forget to pack important items when we leave on a trip, but strangely, the ride to the airport jogs the memory into overdrive.
A bug out bag is different from a suitcase because you have months, if not years, to get it ready. If you think you don't know what a bug out bag is, you probably do - you just didn't know what it was called.
Who Needs A Bug Out Bag? Everyone!
According to Wikipedia, a bug out bag is "a portable kit that contains the items one would require to survive for seventy-two hours when evacuating from a disaster."
Is a bug-out bag just a survival kit? No, a survival kit is planned and packed for the long haul, whereas the purpose of a bug-out bag is to weather the all-important first 72 hours.
Is a bug-out bag just a neurotic's toolbox? Absolutely not!
Survival is the main goal of life, so why wouldn't everyone want to live as long and as well as they could?
An Ounce Of Prevention
Just about everyone I know who lives in California has some sort of emergency rations or basic survival kit in their house in case of an earthquake, and anyone who lived through the 1991 Northridge earthquake understands exactly how chaotic the first 72 hours can be - and will be if you don't prepare a proper bug out bag.
The basic items in a bug out bag include enough food and water to last 72 hours, a fire starting tool, first aid kit, survival handbook, a compass and maps, camping utensils, bedding, identification, medicine and medical records, battery- or crank-operated flashlight and radio, and plenty of cash in small denomination bills.
The list goes on, and we've included a checklist for you below.
How Much Water Is Enough?
Immediately following a disaster, clean water is the most important commodity for survival, after oxygen. And you'll need water for cooking and washing, as well as for drinking.
In Canada, the rule of thumb is ¾ gallons of water per person per day for drinking, and another ¾ gallons for cooking and hygiene.
In the U.S. the norm is one gallon per person per day for drinking.
Special Needs Require Special Supplies
Your bug out bag should be as unique as you are and no two bug out bags will be exactly the same. For example, you may need to pack supplies for the elderly in your care, or for babies and children.
Definitely include enough medicine for at least 72 hours, in addition to the first aid kit and any medical supplies you'll need. For example, people with allergies should pack an Epi-pen, asthma sufferers should pack an extra inhaler, and diabetics need their medication and testing supplies.
What's In A Name?
No one knows for sure, but it's believed the name "bug out bag" is a variation of the bail-out bags used by pilots when jumping from their planes.
Other names are BOB (for bug out bag), GOOD bag (Get Out Of Dodge), 72-hour bag, PERK bag (Personal Emergency Relocation Kits, and INCHbag (I'm Never Coming Home).
Somehow, we get the feeling that the guys who call their kits I'm Never Coming Home bags are the ones who forgot to pack a map and compass. :)
Check It Twice
The first item to go inside any bug out bag is the checklist, and you should create your own customized BOB list before you go any further, Here's a sample checklist that you can copy and add your own items:
- Water for drinking, cooking and washing
- Non-perishable food
- Fire starting tool
- First aid kit
- Compass and map
- Camping/cooking utensils
- Climate appropriate clothing (poncho, hat, gloves)
- Sleeping bag or bedding
- Medicine and medical supplies
- Drivers license and birth certificate or passport
- Folding knife and fixed blade knife
- Swiss Army knife
- Extra batteries
- Child and elderly needs
- Duct tape and rope
- Plastic tarps
- Weapons for small game hunting
What are your must haves for a bug out bag?
