Survival Gear & Bug Out Bags

A Bug out bag is basically a big survival kit that contains all of the items you would require to survive after a disaster. A Bug Out Bag allows you to grab what you need quickly and evacuate should a disaster happen.

Most experts suggest that your BOB should contain enough supplies to last for at least seventy two hours.  Since most major disasters can disrupt services and normal life for longer than 72 hours, we think it is a good idea to have a Bag that will allow you survive for an indefinite period of time.

Make sure your Bag is built to fit your needs. Some people may need items that are not listed on this list. Remember that this is a guideline meant to help you get your bag together. When putting your bag together take into consideration any special needs or items that you or your family might need.

Below we discuss what should be in most Bug Out Bags, as well as our suggestions on what are the best Items to buy that will hold up when it really counts.

What items should be in your Bug Out Bag?

This will depend on a number of factors, such as the area you live in (climate, elevation, etc….) But the basics are as follows:

• A disaster plan
  that includes the location of emergency areas, rallying points, multiple evacuation routes, maps of the area, trail maps, etc (make sure you use a water proof laminate to protect your plans).
• First Aid Kit
  Possible Kits to look at are as follows:
  1. All-Purpose First Aid Kit, 170 Items In Plastic Case With Carry Handle
  2. First Aid Only Outdoor First Aid Kit, Soft Case, 205-Piece Kit
  3. Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Medic Kit
  4. 10-Unit First Aid Kit
• Professional Survival Book
  This should be studied before hand and kept for reference during a disaster. Recommended books are:
  1. SAS Survival Handbook: How to Survive in the Wild, in Any Climate, on Land or at Sea
  2. When All Hell Breaks Loose
  3. US Army Survival Manual: FM 21-76
• Water bottles and metal canteen cup
  1. Stainless Steel GI Type Canteen Cup Great for Boiling and Sterilizing water
  2. Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Water Bottles *Sturdy Water Bottles that can be used to boil water
• Clothing
  Socks, gloves, rain suit, poncho, jacket, hat, bandannas, and clothing for your environment
• A few assorted knives
  Recommended Knives:
  1. The Seal Pup By SOG is one of my favorite Knives, it is one of the best knife I have found)
  2. EvoGrip S557 Knife with Red & Black Handle from Swiss Army
• Camp Axe & Shovel
  
  1. Fiskars 8-Inch Hatchet #7855
  2. Fiskars Splitting Axe 23.5-Inch #7853
  3. Gerber 45905 Camp Axe – Sheath – Clam
  4. Folding Spade NATO Approved Knife from Gerber Knives
• Flashlights
  1. Gerber 22-80010 Infinity Ultra LED Task Light, Green
  2. Nightstar Magnetic Force Flashlight Hi-Tech Clear Self Powered Flashlight * A must have for when the batteries fail. Sturdy and not a cheapo imitation
  3. Surefire E2E-HA Executive Elite
• Radio
  A must to keep up on what is going on.
  1. Etón FR500 Solarlink (Black) Solar Powered Radio with AM/FM/Shortwave/NOAA radio built-in LED flashlight and cell phone charger * Awesome Radio
• Fire Starting
  Waterproof Matches, a couple Lighters, Tinder and one of the following:
  1. Ultimate Survival Technologies BlastMatch All Weather Firestarter (orange)
  2. Brunton Striker Magnesium Fire Starter (Silver/Black)
• MultiTool
  1. Leatherman 830040 New Wave Multi-Tool with Nylon Sheath
  2. Leatherman 830160 Surge Pocket Multitool with Leather Sheath
• Cordage
  (wide variety of uses, traps, etc….) *550 Paracord
• CASH & Documents
  have some extra cash in your bag, as well as a copy of all your important documents (SS Card, I.D., Fishing hunting License, Gun License, etc…)
• Firearm(s) and ammunition.
  1. 10/22 Ruger is a great all around survival gun that will never fail and will last forever. Ammo is dirt cheap at under $20 for 500 rounds It also has A ton of 10/22 after market gear
• WATER
  a liter per day per person (enough to get you by until you find a clean source of water)
• Water Purifiers & Filters: (Any one below would be a good choice)
  
  1. SteriPEN Adventurer Handheld Water Purifier
  2. Katadyn Pocket Water Microfilter
  3. Katadyn TRK Drip Ceradyn Water Filter
  4. Lifesaver Bottle 4000 Ultra Filtration Water Bottle
  5. Katadyn Combi Water Microfilter
• MulitVitamins
  Keep your strength up as your diet changes
• Extra Medicine
  *If needed because of preexisting condition
• Navigation
  Compass, Maps, GPS, etc….
  1. Suunto MC-2 Global Compass
  2. Brunton Pocket Transit Conventional Compass with 0-360 Degree Scale
• Communication
  Portable C.B or Ham Radio
• Fishing Gear
  Bobbers Hooks, fishing line, small collapsible pole
• Emergency Food
  Stuff that will last and give you the most bang for your buck ( peanut butter, jerky, sardines, granola bars, salt, dried fruit, MRE’s, etc…)
  1. SARDINES IN WATER, 24 pack of 3.75 oz cans
  2. Clif Bar Energy Bars, 2.4-Ounce Bars (Pack of 24)
  3. 3600 Calorie ER Bar – Emergency Food Ration
• Shelter
  Sleeping bag, tent, tarp, etc….
• Extra Batteries
  
  1. Energizer NH15BP-4 ACCU 2500mAh Rechargeable AA Batteries (Four-pack) * rechargeable wit solar charger below
• Solar Charge
  
  1. Brunton Solarport 4.4 Watt Foldable Solar Charger with Battery Charger Great for recharging AA/AAA batteries for electronics
  2. Brunton 26 Watt Foldable Solar Array Great for powering small electronics

• Signal Devices
  Flares, Signaling Mirror, Whistle
  
• Duct tape
• Misc
  Candles, Safety Pins, sewing needles and thread, Playing Cards for entertainment, Wire for snaring.