You don’t have to be a member of the Prepper community to have heard of a “bug out bag”. But what does that mean?
The term “bugging out” means leaving your safe place to venture out into whatever disastrous event has occurred. So, a “bug out bag” is a bag you will carry when you do. Why would you ever need a bug out bag? The biggest reason is that you never know when you may need to leave in a hurry. Having a bug out bag ready means you don’t have to think about what to get or take. You can just go and increase your chances of a timely escape or addressing that emergency that is taking you away from home.
As mentioned in a previous blog, an excellent place to start is to think about what you would need if you were going away for a few days. That would be essential clothing, toiletries, any medicines, water, snacks, a flashlight, an extra pack of batteries, and a multi-tool (like a Swiss Army knife). Also a larger tool that can cut through things like branches or cord…and can double as a weapon. Most Preppers use knapsacks for bug-out bags because they’re easy to grab, they hold more than they look, and you can carry it on your back.
As you get more involved in prepping you’ll realize this basic travel bag may not qualify as a hardcore bug-out bag. Don’t be discouraged or anxious that your first bug-out bag doesn’t allow you to live in the wild for a week. Again, this is just a starting point for my SMSFs to have at least that in the closet.
Next time you’re at the supermarket checkout, here are the perfect items for your bag:
- OTC medicine packets, such as aspirin and antacids.
- Small bottles of hand sanitizers
- Baby wipes
- Throw in a bottle of water or two
- Shelf-stable energy drinks
If you have kids, they should each have their own bug out bags. This ensures that it has their clothing, toiletries, medications, and comfort items, like a favorite toy or a plushie. Some folks—like me—have bug out bags for their dogs.
It’s also a good idea to always have some cash on you. You want to ensure you have at least $40 cash, plus what it will take to fill your gas tank.
Let’s say that you now have a bug out bag(s) together that should get you through a trip out of a disaster area. Great! But now you’re ready to kick it up a notch, here are some additional suggestions:
- A knife PLUS a small ax or machete if you’re in an area where you need to cut anything.
- I love compressed towels. They’re about the size of a large antacid and need just a little water to expand to the size of a washcloth.
Extra plastic bags from the grocery store are great for garbage or in extreme situations where you may need to use them as toilets.
I’ve mentioned having some OTC medication handy. The reason is, stores may not be open depending on the disaster situation, or certain things may not be available. Ensure you have extra items such as:
- Benadryl, Imodium, and Pepto Bismol, even if they’re just the small packets you get at the cash register.
- There are online companies, like Jase Medical (an affiliate link, I may receive a commission should you purchase) that prescribe antibiotics, so you don’t have to go to a brick-and-mortar doctor or a hospital, which may be too chaotic depending upon what is happening. I have one in my main Bug Out bag.
- An old-school paper map will assist in not only helping you navigate, but may show campgrounds if you need one.
- The camping section of your favorite Big Box store has bug out items that come in handy. it will have lanterns, propane, camp stoves, portable utensils, sleeping bags, tools and portable sanitary items to keep in your car in case you can’t or it’s unsafe to get out.
- It may sound extreme, but grab a box of adult diapers. You might decide that you’re not stopping anywhere and will drive for five hours straight, and that option, while unappealing, may be appropriate for your situation.
- They also make waterproof matches, pens, and paper, so if you’re stranded in the rain, in your car, or at a campsite with a tent, you still have items you can work with even in inclement weather.
Basically, a bug out bag is like a pizza. No two people will have all of the same things. The idea is to get a baseline for what YOU think would make YOU leave your home. Let that be the guide as far as what to put in your bug-out bag. Consider any children or pets you may have and their essential needs, including any paperwork to show any doctors or shelters regarding vaccinations, birth certificates, etc. You can build from there!
And, it’s great to have a bug out bag that will have everything you need, but can you carry it? It’s one thing to be able to pick it up and put it in your car. It’s another thing if you’re stranded and have to carry it some distance. Remember, you don’t want to carry anything in your hands; you want both hands free while bugging out.
I firmly believe it’s better to “have it and not need it than need it and not have it.” I have gathered several different items over the years when I realized that I should have various levels of bug out. Short-term (a couple of days), mid (up to two weeks), and long-term, where I have to travel and stay a reasonable distance away from home. But, I am preparing to go with what I have in my main bag, and the dogs can carry in theirs.
If you don’t have a car, and there is no means of transportation available, I recommend, especially if your physical fitness is poor to average, the following:
- Keep it as light as possible. Put your bare essentials in the bag and test your endurance, adding to it until you can comfortably carry what you need for a couple of miles.
- Definitely look into water in packets instead of bottles and food in packets instead of cans, which would be lighter and give you more room in your bag.
- Keep an updated schedule of train or bus services that can get you out of town, and if you are aware of a coming disaster, find out their plan of action and if you can get a ticket to get out. As someone who made it out of New Jersey on the last bus out of town to New York before Hurricane Sandy hit, being able to go straight to the station without guesswork – and snagging the last ticket for it – was something I was glad I took the time to prepare for!
What I’ve provided seems like a lot of information, and you may still be unsure where to begin or maybe there is something that I may not have mentioned, To help, I have a checklist available that will get you started on what to have in general and you’ll be able to look at that list and determine what should also go in a bug out bag. If you would like that checklist, go here for your download, and yes, it is FREE! If you have any questions, let me know.
Have a great weekend, and be safe!
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