Having an emergency go bag is the first step in preparedness. Also known as a ‘bug out bag’, this is something that every prepper should have stocked and ready to go. Below is a list of bug out bag essentials that you need to have in the case of sudden evacuation.
Because the truth is, when disaster strikes, those ‘ready-made’ emergency kits sell out quickly. It’s important to be prepared ahead of time so that you can handle whatever comes your way.
WHAT IS A BUG OUT BAG?
A bug out bag, also known as a grab bag, a BOB, a 72-hour kit, or a GOOD (get out of dodge) bag, is a portable emergency kit with supplies that will keep you alive for at least 72 hours in an emergency situation.
To ‘bug out’ is essentially to flee from your location in a hurry. Your bug-out bag should be packed with essentials and easy to access in the face of a sudden emergency or evacuation.
Keep in mind that your bug out bag is not the same as your survival kit.
A survival kit is built to help you survive in an emergency situation in your current location for a longer period of time. It’s usually bigger, heavier, less portable, and contains significantly more emergency supplies than a bug out bag.
Bug out bag essentials are going to be the absolute necessities for your survival during the first 72 hours after an evacuation or disaster.
WHY DO YOU NEED A BUG OUT BAG?
Just in case you have to ‘bug out’ or leave your home in a hurry.
Disaster can strike at any time. Evacuation can become necessary from one minute to the next. If you aren’t prepared for the ‘what if’, then you are leaving yourself and your family in a vulnerable position.
According to the CDC, at least 44% of Americans don’t even have a first aid kit. In the face of a sudden emergency, you do not want to fall into that statistic!
Now is the time to fill your bug out bag with essentials that will keep you and your loved ones alive in the face of a disaster or emergency situation.
Remember: we don’t need to be paranoid, we need to be prepared.
BUG OUT BAG ESSENTIALS
It’s important to think smart when you’re preparing your bug out bag essentials list.
We aren’t going on vacation here; we’re trying to sustain our life in the face of disaster. And we only have space for the absolute necessities.
To get started packing our bug out bag, we need to keep in mind the ‘Rule of Threes’…
- You can survive for 3 minutes without air
- You can survive for 3 hours without shelter (in a harsh environment)
- You can survive for 3 days without water
- You can survive for 3 weeks without food
With the ‘Rule of Threes’ in mind, we know that our bug out bag essentials MUST include the few things that every human body needs to survive.
CLEAN AIR
One of your TOP FOUR bug out bag essentials will be some kind of mask that provides some level of clean air for you to breathe.
A filtering facepiece respirator (FFR) is going to be your best bet. But any kind of filtered mask is better than nothing.
NPP tip: buy a respirator and some backup masks BEFORE disaster strikes and they’re all sold out!
SHELTER
With our Rule of Threes in mind, we need to consider throwing something in our bug out bag to protect us from the harsh elements.
A small Mylar survival tent is the perfect shelter for your bug-out bag. It’s light and won’t take up too much space.
WATER
Water is heavy and packing up the amount of water you will need for your 72-hour bag isn’t realistic.
Instead, add these items to your bag:
FOOD
You’ve got clean air, protection from the elements, and clean water… now we just need to make sure that we have some food in the bug out bag before moving onto the other essentials.
When adding food to your bag, make sure you choose items that have:
- Have a long shelf life
- Don’t require much water to prepare (if any)
- Are easy to prepare
- Are relatively lightweight
And of course, be sure to personalize your food items based on the needs of your family.
Some food options to consider:
- Instant oatmeal
- Instant rice
- Freeze dried foods
- Tuna pouches
- Granola bars
- Peanut butter bites
- Jerky
- Ramen noodles
- Unsalted nuts or seeds
- Dried or dehydrated food
- Canned beans
- Canned veggies
- Dried/powdered milk
- Meal replacement bars
You can find additional emergency food options right here.
Make sure you have enough food in your bug out bag to sustain you and at least one other person for at least 3 days.
Each member of the household should have THEIR OWN bug out bag that they can safely carry by themselves. But having a few extra food items in each bag will be helpful if you’re in an emergency state for more than 3 days.
OTHER BUG OUT BAG ESSENTIALS
Although those four categories are your absolute necessities for the human body to survive the Rule of Threes, we still have a handful of other essentials needed to keep you and your family safe in an emergency or evacuation situation.
Our other bug-out bag essentials fall into these 6 categories:
- Clothing
- First Aid
- Heat/Fire
- Lighting
- Protection/defense
- Tools/Toiletries
CLOTHING
You’ll need essential clothing that is lightweight and appropriate for the season (update your go-bag every 4-6 months and adjust for the upcoming season).
Warm clothing options to consider:
FIRST AID AND SAFETY
A first aid kit is important for your go-bag, your long-term survival kit, your home, and your car. If you or anyone in your party gets injured, you’ll want to make sure you have some first aid and safety items on hand.
You can create your own first aid kit for your bug-out bag, or purchase one from a company like Survival Frog.
If you choose to build your own first aid kit, make sure you have the following safety/aid supplies, at the very least:
- Bandaids
- Gauze
- Anti-bacterial wipes
- Medical gloves
- Burn cream
- Painkillers
- Safety pins
- Tweezers
- Antibiotic ointment
- Peroxide
HEAT OR FIRE
Next on our list of essentials: heat.
Make sure your bug out bag has the following:
LIGHTING
Your bug out bag essentials should include a few different lighting options.
- A headlamp (and batteries)
- Light sticks
- Flashlight (and batteries)
Don’t forget a few extra batteries, just in case!
PROTECTION AND DEFENSE
Since our bug-out bag is meant to prepare us for survival during disasters, we have to prepare for some worst-case scenarios.
You might have to protect yourself or your family from a variety of threats, from animals to humans.
Make sure your bag has at least one defensive tool in it.
Some good options:
- Pepper spray
- Pocket knife
TOOLS AND TOILETRIES
Our last category of bug out bag essentials includes our tools and toiletries.
- Paracord
- Utility knife
- Multi-tool pocket knife
- Duct tape
- Compass
- Phone charger
- Whistle
- Two-way radio
- Toilet paper or wipes
- Soap
- Chapstick
- Cash/Bills
Be sure to include any other essentials that apply to your family, including prescription medications, glasses or contacts, emergency contact info, and copies of important documents.
WHAT BUG OUT BAG SHOULD YOU USE?
Your bug out bag should be made of thick, durable material.
It should have separate pockets and compartments for plenty of storage, and it should be waterproof.
We personally recommend using a large water resistant backpack with cushioned straps.
This waterproof tactical backpack is a good option for most people. A diaper bag backpack is another reasonable option.
BUG OUT BAG MISTAKES TO AVOID
There are three main things you want to avoid from putting your bug out bag essentials together.
- Packing heavy items…
You might have to walk a long distance, hike uncertain terrain, or carry small children. Even if you don’t have to carry anything other than your go-bag, you don’t want to overestimate your strength and endurance.
Include all of the absolute essentials, but be careful not to pack unnecessarily heavy items. Your bug out bag should generally weigh about 25% of your body weight or less.
- Choosing a cheap bag…
Even if you’re on a budget, you need to make sure that you have a sturdy, water resistant bag that isn’t going to fall apart.
- Not packing enough food and water…
If you find yourself trying to justify packing that extra hat or t-shirt, just leave it out. Food and water need to be at the top of your list. A change of clothes is important too, but nothing is as important as our top four categories: clean air, shelter, food, and water.
PREMADE BUG OUT BAGS
If the idea of researching, buying, and packing up your own bug-out bag is overwhelming, there are some amazing premade bug out bags that can put your mind at ease.
Quite honestly, even if you do have your own emergency bags packed, consider grabbing a premade bag for the car.
Our top pick for a premade bug out bag: THE PREPPER PACK FROM JUDY PREP!
This pre-made bug out bag has everything that you need for 4 people that need at least 72 hours of supplies in an emergency situation.
This pack was put together by the # 1 top rated preparedness experts in the country and it as all of the emergency essentials you’ve need for your family: WATER & FOOD, SAFETY & WARMTH, TOOLS & FIRST AID
Check out their other preparedness tools right here.
RECAP OF BUG OUT BAG ESSENTIALS
These 10 category items are all that you need to have in your bug-out bag.
Make sure you’re preparing for some worst-case scenarios and bringing enough food and water for at least 3 days.
- Masks
- Shelter
- Food
- Water
- Clothing
- First Aid
- Heat/Fire
- Lighting
- Protection/defense
- Tools/Toiletries
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