Bug Out Bags

[gburner]

There's a lot of opinions about what folks will or will not do when the fertiizer hits the ocillating ventilation device, but almost everyone mentions the need for a 'bug out bag'.

Could y'all please provide a list of items essential for this bag? I know that some are common sense, but include them anyway.

I have a large milsurp backpack that I intend to use for this purpose so space is somewhat limited. Thanks in advance.

 

[Gewehr98]

Some folks have them ready for stuff other than civil unrest...

When you live on the East Coast from the Carolinas -> South, bugout bags are a fact of life. Just inventoried ours a couple weeks ago, AFTER hurricane season was declared over. I'll check ours again several times before hurricane season starts in 2003.

 

[Bob Locke]

I'd have the following as a bare minimum (and I'm sure I'll miss some things that'll get added):

flint and steel (or other fire-starting medium)
first aid kit
cook ware (minimal, to include utensils)
water purification tablets (I also have a collapsable 5 gal. container)
fishing rig (some pretty cool ones out there that don't take up much space at all)
several dozen feet of parachute cord ('cause it's just so dang useful)
couple rolls of toilet paper (if you need to ask...)
energy bars (for first few days until you can get established)

But firstly, the skills to utilize whatever you have with you in an effective manner. All the tools in the world won't do you any good if you can't put them to use.

 

[PATH]

I refuse to bug out. They'll have to over run this position.

 

[Will Fennell]

well...it depends

You realy need to look at your locale, and your needs. For instance, I live in the Carolina's...I don't need much cold weather gear. Also, what is the BOB to enable you to do..,......to Bug Out to Where? I have 2, one in my car[I spend alot of time on the road] to get me from wherever the trouble is[on the road] to HOME. The second one is in my home, to get me out to our farm in the country.

Cover the basics.....ability to make a fire,knife, shelter, water, basic first aid, emergency food, basic tools, flashlight. Most folks get a little carried away on the weapons.....sidearm and a few reloads should do you fine.

Other possibles.....specific medication....my dad had his Thyriod removed a few years ago, and he has to take a Thyriod pill everyday, or he dies. So his vehicle BOB has some spare pills vacuum sealed and tucked away in it.

Good map of the area.

Cordage....550 [parachute] cord works great.

Stop by a hiking store and get a 1 liter "nalgene bottle" with the wide mouth. They usually have those stainless steel camping cups that are sized to fit over the bottom of the bottle. Stuff the bottle with things you want ot keep dry and away from bugs.....mine has a can of chicken noodle soup, some beef jerky, some trail mix, some packets of soy sauce, salt and pepper, Tabasco sauce. Put the food in the Nalgene Bottle, with the cup over the bottom. You now have a mobile kitchen and a durable water bottle.

I keep a "6 pack" of liter water bottles in the trunk of the car beside the BOB. They keep a long time, but I end up drinking them and replacing them once a year or so.

Remember, this is a kit to "BUG OUT" to somewhere else....not to subside for the rest of your days.

I keep a spare box[50 rounds] of pistol ammo in the car BOB.....as I always have my CCW with me...that should cover weapons.

Don't forget, there is NO SUBSTITION for a good knife.....and also remember, folders are just Pre-Broken Fixed Blades. It doesn't have to be expensive, just sturdy.
Something like this will do fine.......

Your BOB needs to be basically disposable.....you shouldn't put anything into it that you need or use on a regular basis...because without a doubt, you will have taken it out and left it someplace else, when you really need it:banghead:

I will admit, the BOB in my car is much smaller and less complete than the one in my basement.

Sorry for rambling....its late.

 

[MessedUpMike]

72 hours seems to be the standard that everyone aims for. Lots of good information at www.fema.gov contrary to what some may tell you. At bare minimum you need 1 set of climate appropiate clothes, three days food, and highly recomended three days water supply. I would also include 150 rnds ammo (50 sidearm, 100 rifle),a roll of duct tape, a plastic drop cloth (the cheap disposable kind), some parachute cord, and a flashlight. Other ideal item would include matches, firstaid supplies,etc.

I will respond better when I get to a computer with a working spacebar.

 

[BerettaNut92]

I prepare for fires (apartments; probably a few morons here) and earthquakes. I'm no longer in LA so I don't worry about riots too much.

Fires mean having to bug out real quick. I have a 3-day self-contained bag.

2 gallons of water for 3 days,
a 3600 calorie bar,
3 powerbars (for taste and calories),
a first aid kit (preassembled with some goodies like Advil and eyedrops added for dust and ash),
a spare pair of glasses
a chemical breaklight or two
print-out of my contacts and backup of my hard drive--sentimental photos from my Korea trip and college buddies I can't replace.

100 rds of .308 and 50 rounds of 9mm for if I have to leg it with my guns (highly unlikely).

 

[swingset]

I live in a place where city folk will bug out to.

What I have is a bug-out house, not that I wait with bated breath for the chance to use it.

 

[sixgun_symphony]

The best "bug out bags" are the saddle bags to a motocycle.


Normal things like GPS, Maps, Raingear, & Tools.

Other things to have on hand : first-aid kit, firestarter, knife, $100 cash, 1 box ammo, 1 revolver w/ holster.

Just saddle up and go!

 

[Bostonterrier97]

Bug Out Bags

Should be broken up into different categories:

(1.) The Home Alone Bag...(pretty easy..make sure your pantry is well stocked, a good supply of ammo, water, spare parts, vitamens in the medicine closet, toiletries, etc.

(2.) The CAR Bag (to be kept in the trunk). Flashlight, sleeping bag, WATER (especially if you live in the Desert), Jacket, Hat, a change of clothing, trunk gun, some ammo, handgun, first aide kit, a small set of tools, jumper cables, etc.

(3.) Backpack Bug Out Bag: (handgun, box of ammo, change of clothing, jacket, hat, sleeping bag, tent, canteen, dehydrated food packs, vitamens, cleaning kit, small container of lubricant, a small folding pruning saw (this work WONDERS when you build a shelter), collapsible shovel, a folding knife, compass, poncho, extra pairs of socks, light weight first aide kit.
The shovel can be used for either constructing a shelter or digging up that cache of weapons.
IF you still have room and are able to afford the weight, then a lightweight carbine with a folding or collapsible stock, or a take down Semi-Automatic 22LR with 1 or 2 bricks of ammo.

A very good Semi-Automatic 22 that is a TAKE down rifle is the Remington Speedmaster. (a John Browning design)

Good lightweight Carbines (The M1 Carbine with a folding stock,
Mini-14 with a folding stock, SKS or AK with folding stock, a CAR with a collapsible stock)

Make sure you have some cash on you at all times..maybe a money belt? Passport too.
Water purifier (filter or tablets), Mosquito Repellent, Sunblock, Sunglasses.

(4.) Fannyback Bug out "pouch" this is for situation where you can't drive, and you have to run like hell (which you can't do with a backpack)
Money, Small concealable handgun, 2e boxes of ammo, pocket knife, survival tablets, halzone tablets for your water container, very small flashlight, passport.
(your goal here is to run like crazy, hide, and then try to hitchike, hop a train, or "acquire" transportation with money or other means to reach your destination which hopefully it is a "safe" house or location or a cache.