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How To Make A Bug Out Bag 


When this website was focused on post apocalyptic survival one of the topics I mentioned was how to create a “bug out bag”. These are ready made emergency packs that you would grab when staying in your home was not an option. A bug out bag or emergency bag can be used for more then the possible collapse of civilization as we know it. In the event of a natural disaster, or if your stranded in the middle of nowhere, having an emergency supply of necessities can save your life.
 

For your own bug out bag you have two options, you can either order a pre made emergency bag that comes complete with a set of gear or make your own from scratch. Personally I have nothing against going with the pre made route because it’s less hassle for the average person. But going the one size fits all route doesn’t guarantee that your individual needs and requirements will be met, because of that I suggest making one from scratch. And while the climate you live in and budget will be different, there are some core essentials that every bug out bag should have.


1. The Bag 


Before you can start gathering the supplies you need, you have to have the right bag for the job. DON’T WASTE YOUR MONEY on some cheap 10 dollar Wall-Mart school bag. These bags generally can’t hold much weight and are made with cheap materials. On average they tend to be on the small since they were meant to hold little Timmy’s books and pencils rather then food and water. For your bag you should look at a proper camping or hiking backpack that you can find at your local camping supply store. (Mountain Equipment Co-op for example) These types of bags will have the strength and size you’ll need, remember you’re going to need about 2 to 3 days or longer worth of food, water, and other supplies, and you could be packing for more then just yourself. 


However these types of bags can be expensive, a cheaper yet as effective alternative is to go the military surplus route. While these bags aren’t as space age they are solid dependable and are built specifically for this type of thing, which is hauling heavy gear on somebody’s back for long distances in crappy conditions. 


2. Navigation 


Depending on your budget this can range from having a high tech GPS (Global Positioning System) to a simple map and compass. The average civilian GPS can tell you where you are within 100. Most military GPS systems can tell you your position within 50 feet or less (depending on what generation they are). The drawbacks to using a GPS is that it needs batteries or a charger which can be hard to find if you in the middle of nowhere. Many have a fairly rugged design but they can still be damaged making them useless. They also depend on satellites to relay coordinates, so weather conditions and terrain can affect the signal giving you a false reading. Urban areas such as a cities downtown core where there are skyscrapers can also throw off your signal making navigation with a GPS almost useless.


A cheaper and more reliable alternative is to use a map and compass. Maps can be downloaded for free using sites such as Google maps. A compass also doesn’t need programming to figure out, and unless it's broken will always point to magnetic north. 


3. Flashlight


Try to pick a flashlight that requires no batteries such as a wind up or one of those that you have to shake to charge up. Try to find one that has multiple options such as plug ins to charge a cell phone, or have a built in radio. This will help cut the weight down of your bug out bag and save space for other items you need. 


4. Knife


Sure those giant knives like what Rambo and Crocodile Dundee use look cool cause there freakin massive, but in reality there no more effective then a knife with a six inch blade. Also a large knife like those can draw negative and unwanted attention. Like a flashlight, you can save space and increase the number of tools you have by opting for a multi-tool such as a Gerber or Leatherman instead. Most multi tools come with wire cutters or strippers, knife blade, saw, ruler, screw driver with a couple different sized heads, file, and pliers.


But if you absolutely positively can't live without a knife, then I recommend either the U.S Marine K-Bar or the Ghurkha Kukri knife. 


5. Fire Starter


Depending on the situation you find yourself in, you might have to fend for yourself in some primitive conditions. For example if you survived an earthquake you probably won't have access to clean water, so having a means to create a fire is vital for you're survival. The easiest way is to stock up on some disposable lighters or matches (make sure your matches are either wind, water proof or both)
which can be found at almost any gas station. Another option is to have a magnesium fire starter or other type of fire starting kit. Unlike lighters that can run out of fuel or break, these types can last longer and don't need a refill. 


6. First Aid Kit 


Of all the things you're bug out bag needs, this is probably the most important. This is also one item you should never cheap out on; after all it could be what saves your life. Whichever type of first aid kit you decide to get, make sure it has some type of CPR mask to prevent your from getting infected by anything that can be transmitted through body fluids such as saliva and blood. You also want your first aid kit to have instructions to administer first aid, and scissors that can cut though even the toughest fabrics or bandages.


It's also a good idea to keep track of your kits inventory as this might be the only first aid kit in your home. Make a list to keep with you're kit letting you know what you have and what you need to buy more of. 


7. Rope


In the ideal world I recommend getting yourself some Para-cord, it's super light, extremely strong, and small enough to let you pack hundreds of feet without a problem. But Para-cord is expensive and can be hard to get. If you can't get Para-cord any type of rope will work, I recommend having no less then 100 feet on hand. Trust me you'll need it. 


8. Water And Food 


You’re not going to last more then 3 days without water, food you can last a little longer but exhaustion from not getting enough calories will take you down quickly. On the average day a relatively healthy male can burn about 2000 to 2500 calories a day doing normal activates. For women it's in the range of 1300 to 1500 a day. Now imagine yourself on the move, with little sleep, and doing labour intensive activities all day long. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that without food you'll quickly wear yourself out. 


When picking food for you're bug out bag stay away from foods that have high amounts of sodium (salt) and junk food. If you can't get military style rations canned food is just as good, again watch how much salt is in it.


For water if you can't carry much pack water purification tablets to clean water you find. It's important to remember that water purification tablets won't remove everything in the water, but it will get rid of most of it. So if you find water that's heavily polluted just avoid it. 


9. Clothes And Footwear 


This doesn’t mean you pack a massive suitcase of designer label items, you're going to have to leave the Gucci shoes at home. What this does mean is one or two changes of clothes, a couple shirts and pants, at most a half dozen pairs of underwear, and lots of socks. Why so many socks? Your feet are your main form of transportation and you need to take care of them. Feet tend to sweat a lot, so keeps lots of dry socks to change into to prevent things like a bacterial infection or trench foot, where the soles of your feet will actually rot and peel off, leaving you unable to walk. It's also a good idea to pack a light jacket and or sweater of some sort, again this depends on the time of year, obviously a light jacket isn’t going to do much good when it's the middle of winter and you’re not living in Florida, so pack smart. 


10 Sleeping Bag Or Equivalent 


Again like anything in your bug out bag what you pack depends on were you live and the time of year. If you live in a country that's tropical for example you're also going to need some type of mosquito netting to keep bugs and malaria out. In a colder that has cold winters, a Mickey Mouse sleeping bag that's rated to minus 5 Celsius isn’t really going to help when it's minus 35 Celsius. Whatever type you decide you also want some form of outer layer to help keep heat in while keeping moisture out, especially if you have to sleep on the ground. 


If it’s the middle of summer or you live in a warm part of the world you can switch out a sleeping bag for a lighter blanket. One that I found works really well when I was in the military is an all weather poncho liner or “ranger blanket” as we called them. There extremely light and do a pretty decent job of keeping you warm. 


11. Bug Net 


Being in a warmer climate means insects. The last thing you want when you’re trying to get some rest is bugs crawling all over you. A bug net provides protection against such insects as mosquito’s which can pass things such as the West Nile virus, and Malaria. 


12. Air Mattress Or Hammock 


If you find yourself having to camp outside, you want to ensure you have a barrier between yourself and the ground your sleeping on. The obvious reason is for comfort, try falling asleep with a jagged rock tearing at your back and you’ll understand why. It’s also important to have a barrier between you and the ground when it’s colder such as in the winter, or if the ground is wet. Sleeping on cold ground will rob your body of heat; if your body’s core looses too much heat you run the risk of hypothermia. 



















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