Different experts tell you varying things to put in your bug out bag. depending on who you’re talking to you may not even agree on what to call your bag.
Let’s outline a scenario to put us all on the same page and answer the question at hand.
Scenario: You are somewhere. You have to immediately leave somewhere to go somewhere else. No choice, no thought, just grab and go. For reasons. All you have with you is a bag with up to 3 days of “stuff” to sustain you. What’s in the bag?
The minimalist approach is to have the minimum.
if you are thirsty you need water
if you are hungry you need food.
if you are cold you need to get warm.
if you are hot you need to cool down.
if you are tired you need to sleep.
ok, now what items do you need to fulfill these immediate needs?
Food:
The law of 3’s applies here. Your calorie requirements will dictate how much food is in your bag. Also weight of your foodstuffs might be a consideration.
Canned goods? Freeze dried foods? MRE’s?,
Water:
Water is heavy. You should have a bottle of water in your pack at all times as a minimum. Even if it’s a plastic screw off cap bottle from the gas station, it will be there when you need it, and it’s reuseable. Water filter next? yes. Ability to treat water? yes.
Cover:
Clothing is your first line of defense for cold and hot weather. If you’re rolling with a 72 hour kit thought process, you’ll have the clothing that’s on you. Think of having a backup lightweight thermal layer to put on. Think of having another layer like jacket, watch cap, and gloves. If it rains do you want a poncho or wet weather gear. If it’s hot you need a hat with a brim for shade. sunglasses? All of this take up space and weight.
All before you rest or sleep. Then you’ll want ground cover, and a tarp, and a woobie or sleeping bag. Maybe a lightweight tent covers this best? All weather and weight dependent and decisions.
Movement:
Vehicle, on foot, or other (like a bike) – how you move or whether you are staying put determines how much weight for things above you can safely move. Let’s say you’re in a vehicle – you run out of gas – do you continue to move on foot or stay put? If you have a thousand pounds of gear in your vehicle, now you have to whittle it down to 50lbs or less in order to move it on your back. Thus having a ready-to-go bag in that scenario is still highly necesssary.
Use the bug out bag calculator above to get you started on a list to make your prep bag. Then come back to our site and read in depth on everything we talked about already. We have guides and knowledge that go into much more detail. The important thing is to start gathering the necessary items for you and your loved ones – build your bag – and then never leave anywhere without it.
Feel free to comment with how it’s going!