By 
No one expects to be in a situation where they have to drop everything and leave in an emergency, but given the growing concerns in today’s modern world, many smart people are choosing to prepare for the unexpected.
Most of these people (myself included) are not paranoid fear peddlers, but ordinary citizens who have rationally looked at the world around them and taken simple, basic steps to protect themselves by building a Bug Out Bag for themselves and their families.
Sometimes people do it out of fear of a big and dramatic event that will start the cataclysm of the end of civilization, but there are many more common events that happen all the time that would make a well-prepared person feel satisfied that they had prepared. a bag of bugs:
- Terrorism
- Flood
- Earthquake
- Hurricane
- Twister
- Mass shooting
- Home fire
- tsunami
- Home invasion
- Unrest
- … or just looking for peace of mind
What Makes a Good Bug Out Bag?
This can be answered in many ways. There is a wide selection of Bug Out bags available that are sold online and if you are not interested in individually picking out your Bug Out bag essentials they may be a good option. However, because they are mass produced and sold to the general public, they often do not take into account the variables that can make a difference for their locality. For example, you wouldn’t have the same Bug Out Bag essentials if you lived in a desert region rather than on the coast. The same applies if you are packing a Bug Out Bag for yourself or your family.
Regardless of these variables, there are a few simple rules to observe when deciding the content of your Bug Out Bag:
- Make sure you can carry your Bug Out Bag comfortably; you may have to walk a long distance to be safe. If your bag doesn’t fit or is too heavy, you may have risked sheltering instead.
- Keep it SIMPLE – You are not trying to build a mobile home that you will take with you. Many sites list dozens and dozens of items to buy and bring in, adding to the cost and weight. Remember that electronic devices need power and are prone to breakage. Simple package, reliable stuff to cover basic needs.
- Pack Things That Make You Self-sufficient – If you’re thinking of an item that you’ll need to pair with something you’ll need to get on the road, forget about it. If you are moving to safety, the last thing you need to do is worry about litter. Pack complementary items that can be used both individually and together to save space.
- Plan your suitcase with a defined period of time in mind. 72 hours is a good starting point, as it is roughly the length of time a person can live without water. Once you start planning the weeks, you will have added too many complications to your Bug Out Bag essentials list.
- Remember that the goal here is survival, not luxury. If you don’t need it to survive, leave it behind.
Okay, I’m good to go, what are some of the Bug Out Bag essentials?
I’m not going to list everything here, but here are some essentials that should be included in any Bug Out Bag list:
- Map and compass: how you will know where to go
- Multitool: infinite uses
- Tarpaulin or emergency shelter – can be used as shelter and signage
- Paracord – Can be used to build shelters and around a million other things.
- Magnesium Fire Lighter – This is better than matches as it will work when wet and you don’t have to worry about a blast blowing out your last match.
- Spare Socks – Taking care of your feet is one of the most important things you can do when you go out. Dry socks will keep your feet blisters free and keep you moving for longer. Wool socks or synthetic blend socks are superior to cotton.
- Survival blanket – lighter and smaller than a sleeping bag
- LED flashlight – LEDs use less energy than old-fashioned bulbs
- Crank Radius – For insight into the situation as it unfolds.
- Water and high-energy / low-weight foods, such as energy bars
This is a very basic list of Bug Out Bag essentials, it should be tailored to suit an individual’s circumstances based on geography, duration, and the number of people expected to travel with. The contents of your personal Bug Out bag may vary from your neighbor’s depending on what you consider essential, but this is a good start for anyone with the foresight to plan for the unforeseen.
Will I ever really need a Bug Out bag?
Hopefully, no one is faced with a situation where they are forced to flee their home, but as you can see with some basic planning, you can take steps to ensure your safety and that of your loved ones.