What's in your bug out kit?

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Grandpa Shooter

Grandpa Shooter

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Started thinking about things the last couple of days. Probably prompted by knowing how fat and lazy I've gotten in the last ten years. Fat for me doesn't mean grossly obese, more like flabby. I bought a good treadmill over the weekend and set my weight bench back up, with the intent of getting back to where I can go for miles, carrying my Alice harness and back pack for ten continuous miles. Add to that the weight of any armament and you have a serious load.

Now the question, "Since the last time I toted that thing a lot has happened in the field of food preservation and firearms. What do you folks have in your bug out kit?"

Not sure I want to be packing my AR with a 20" Colt match barrel and the stuff to feed it. Any ideas? MRE's, at least the ones I had taste like dry dog food. Also requires carrying a lot of water. Anything better out there? I expect to be re doing my pack over the next few weeks and would appreciate your help.

Grandpa
 
All I can say is, if a real SHTF scenerio occurs anytime soon, I mean like sudden stock market crash to where rules of social order go out the window, food lines interrupted, deliveries of goods to market, hijackings of cargo,,,

There are some people that are going to be in a world of hurt wondering "how something could come to this"?

I am not prepared as some, but my mindset will put me in hurry-up mode quickly.. My goal is to get to the homestead where there are critters to eat galore.

I guess what are you bugging out from? For how Long? And to where?

Is the question I have...
 
Before this gets moved to S&T or closed, I'll remind everyone that the purpose of "bugging-out" is to have enough on hand to move to a prepared position.

Keep it light, you aren't supposed to fight any wars, just have enough "bang' with you deter looters or break-off from any encounters.

Don't forget money, paper and probably some silver coins. Plastic may not be working but a few real silver dollars may help fill the tank or get you some food.
 
Ok, let's clarify things. I live in the mountains in the cabin where I would have gone if something big happened in the city. I moved 5 years ago to get out of the urban ghetto scene. I probably live where most of you would like to be.

If something happened (oh say like the forest fire that burned 600,000 acres) a few years back, I would have to have a back up plan in place. That would have to include the means to protect myself and my property whether it is the cabin or my truck while getting out of Dodge. I could not count on food supplies being continued since there are only a few roads to bring anything in on.

The situation could easily deteriorate up here.

Based on that scenario, "How would you equip yourselves for moderate terms of survival?" This isn't a trick question, just my curiosity at play.
 
I look at the BOB as more a tool to help me while traveling, or to help me get home.
I use a medium backpack, and without getting into a lot of detail, I carry MRE s and Mountain House meals, a MSR Pocket Rocket stove and fuel, matches, water and a Katadyn Hiker Pro, Military poncho, space blanket, cord, a small Wetterlings axe, saw, knives, first aid stuff, seasonal clothing, a .22 LR handgun and ammunition, binocs, flashlight and some other odds and ends.
My goal is to be comfortable for about 72 hours, and to get by for another 72 or so.
 
For armament a .22 rifle for small game (hollow buttstock carries spare ammo and cleaning supplies) and a hi cap 9mm for two legged predators. The 9mm would double for Deer around here since they are thick as hair on a dogs back, few long shots because of terrain, and Whitetails are not that hard to put down.
No large dangerous game aside from Black Bear and they are seldom a danger , seldom get over 160 lb, and even the largest at 350 lb are easier to kill than Deer.

For rations I keep some old italian cookie canisters which are exactly the right diameter, packed with potted ham and potted spam spreadables and wheat crackers which are the same diameter. One canister holds a days worth of munchies. Extra packs of dried noodle soups and cup o soups are always handy to load up any spare room in the pack.

If you must carry drinking water why not just carry canned foods which don't require mixing with water, save your canteen for drinking.
Also canned foods can be eaten quickly without building a fire to boil water.

For tools I keep a folding saw, large lockblade knife, stout short Machette, smaller Schrade cattleman and tiny Swiss army pen knife with tweezers, nail file, toothpick, and tiny scissors. Sewing kit with strong nylon thread suitable for repairing gear and selection of sturdy needles including glovers needles and curved whip stitching needles.
Decent first aid kit.

50 ft of Stout nylon cord.

Space blanket and a dozen hefty garbage bags for ground sheet and to stuff with leaves for an insulated mattress.
Instead of a sleeping bag I keep a tightly rolled Snow mobile outfit and USAF survival kit Muluks. No need to struggle with getting out of a bag in a hurry that way. Also if a cold snap hits you can wear it on the move.
The muklus are also useful if an injury results in a foot too swollen to fit in your boot. With the liner removed it will lace up over a thick bandage and even a splint.

I have both everyday gloves, German Airforce surplus gray leather, and thick insulated gloves for cold weather, with matching hat.

For light and heat
Candles for getting a fire going, including some bug repellent candles, and a hand pumped LED flashlight. A quality penlight as well.

Got a place to go but ain't saying where, no offense.
Charted it out on a map of fallout zones calculated by weather patterns and military targets including nuclear plants. The hideout, which I own including the deep caves under it, is expected to be fallout free in limited nuclear engagements.
 
Ok so far. I am looking to repack my gear into two easily carried packs. One for my son if he is here or the GF if he is not. Two or three people is a manageable group. If we had to hike out of here due to the roads being blocked I don't want to haul the whole house. It would have to all be freeze dried (non perishable stuff) We have a vacuum sealer so that would make things considerably easier to carry. I would probably take either the 9mm or .40 carbine since the GF is good with either one.

How long are you thinking the "dislocation" would last? I'm thinking 3-7 days minimum. Having trouble figuring how to do it with 3 old dogs. Believe it or not that is my greatest concern. Two of them wouldn't make it a mile from home.
 
So far one bag has over 800 rounds of .223 in mags. I need another bag to carry the wife with.
Wheelbarrow !
 
Having evacuated many times for hurricanes, I take everything I can carry in my truck and utility trailer. And a few extras, if I can fit it.
 
Having evacuated many times for hurricanes, I take everything I can carry in my truck and utility trailer. And a few extras, if I can fit it.
Click to expand...

Truck + trailer is very handy.

:)
 
I've never really planned to "bug out." If the SHTF, I plan to "bug in." I've got enough food to last me at least two weeks (probably more) and enough water as well (provided I skip bathing). More than enough guns and ammo to hold off anyone trying to get in here. Add in two UPSs, 10 flashlights, plenty of batteries, and a healthy supply of firewood for the wood stove, fuel for the Coleman stove, two tanks of propane for the grill, and I'm about as well covered as I can be.

My home is my castle, and I plan to defend it as such.
 
I'm not quite prepared for a 'bug-out.' A big part of this is due to where I live - out in the country, the sort of place that many preppers would look for IN a "bug-out location."

I DO however, have a 'get-home' bag in my car, should I have to hoof it home from work or en route from there for whatever reason.

NO guns/gun stuff (that is only dedicated to the bag), as it stays in the car 24/7.

The total distance between work and home is just 15 miles - though 8 of those miles is over VERY VERY "hilly" terrain. So I go 'minimalist' with Mainstay survival rations and a little assorted snack stuff (MRE crackers and peanut butter currently). Handles temps in the car well, doesn't have to be rotated that often. I'll eat better after I make it home, I just need some FUEL along the way.

Summer shelter was minimal too, a bivy selter and space blanket. Now that it's winter, I've added a Snugpack sleeping bag.

Multiples of Fire-making stuff, especially now that winter's here. Lighters, matches, and a magnesium firestarter for good measure.

Water - a quart Nalgene bottle, and I've got a hydration bladder in the pack I'll fill before I set off - with water stored in the car if need be, along with more bottled water just in case, as well as a filter straw and Potable Aqua tablets.

I have assorted other odds and ends in there, some more vital than others IF I need them (spare contacts and cleaning solution and a case come to mind...)

Pretty decent First aid kit - off the shelf, but HEAVILY modified, mostly with lots of meds - Tylenol, Advil, Immodium, bee sting treatments, etc.

In case the need arises, a Glock E-tool and a Glock knife. And a Leatherman wave and SAK 'clone.'

SUNGLASSES (in case I manage to lose or break the other 3 or 4 pairs in my car ;) ), work gloves and a cap. And a change of clothes. Going around in wet ones ain't much fun...
 
I need a good portable generator (briggs and stratton)...... so I have some power for "war of the worlds". hehe

:)
 
I saw a topic on another forum similar to this and one of the guys had a simple answer " the name and address of 10 good Mormons"
 
lets see
sharps........check
1911..........check
truck..........check
boat...........check
fishing poles.check
ammo.........check
lures...........check
BEER..........check(should be first)
Girlfriend........check(man can not live on beer alone)
gas............check
clothes........check
cooler full of steaks..check

Well looks like I am ready.........oddly enough same as my vacation check list

this is a goofy thread but fun!
 
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No bugging out for me. I live in a place where people would bug out to.

My plan is to hunker down and set up a defensive perimeter. We got lots of food, a gas grill, several camping stoves, springs for good fresh water not too far away, a few kerosun and propane heaters. There's critters in the woods and fish in the lake.
 
Two very horny rabbits.

ACTUALLY, that might not be a bad idea. Hmmmm...
Click to expand...

Haha.. I too wouldnt mind taking a "Bunny Farm" with me just had different ideas about it I guess.

:D
 
food for a week, portable heating and cooking, small back up genny with 7 days diesel. 30 gallons of gas for jeep, 7 days water for myself, wife and dogs. Enough weapons and ammo for several close friends (from .22 to 12 guage.) Few hundred dollairs for any ATM problems and 2 backpacks with 3 day supply with med kit, pounchos, crank operated radio, flashlights, flares, whistle, compass, ham radio and portable c.b........
Most of the stuff for our duffle bags I got at wallmart for under $150.00 and others i've just added when I heard things. plenty of web sites with idea's, too.
We live in nice suburban area but i've thought of many scenario's that could bring the local area to it's knees, the State area or it's knees, the county to it's knees. Most I would just stay put for.
 
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