Hello my friend and welcome back! I get some of the best quevstions from my readers and today is no different. Mike C. is a new Prepper and wants to know what are the basic items needed in a Bug Out Bag and in today’s post, I’m going to try to answer this question as best as I can. So, grab yourself a cup of coffee and have a seat while we visit.
This is actually one of those questions that we experienced Preppers tend to think that everyone knows. The thing is a new Prepper won’t know unless they are told and it’s up to us to provide the information to them. So here is what I think are the very essential items that you need to have in any Bug Out Bag.
- Water! At least a small container of it and a LifeStraw. You will also need to add a couple of collapsible water bottles to refill if need be.
- Flashlight! A small flashlight is an essential part of any BOB and whatever you choose to use is up to you. Just be sure to check the batteries regularly to be sure they are still good and it wouldn’t hurt to pack a couple of spare batteries as well. Just be sure it is a small flashlight so it doesn’t take up much room in your BOB.
- Fire! You will need the ability to create a fire for warmth
- and cooking at some point. They have the little collapsible stoves which use special Lozenge type fuel tablets that will burn in almost any conditions. Until you get proficient at building a fire out of what is available to you on the ground, this is a must. It’s very small and light weight and cost hardly anything. Don’t forget to add a couple of Bic lighters or something to light it with.
- Food! It doesn’t need to be anything fancy, just a few of Power Bars will do to start. As time goes on, you can add other items, but to start with you just need something to last you 72 hours.
- Knives! You will want to keep a good fixed blade knife and a pocket knife in your bag in case you need to cut things like string and other items. You will without doubt need them. Now don’t run out and buy you a RAMBO” knife that barely fits in your bag! You need just a good six or eight inch blade with a scabbard to keep it in on you belt.
- Mylar Blankets! These survival blankets made of Mylar are a must! They have many uses and cost only a couple of dollars each, depending on where you get them. Until you can add a sleeping bag, they are the next best thing and take up hardly any room at all. They can also be used to build an emergency tent out of if needed.
- String! You will want to keep at least one hank of Paracord and a small spool of fishing line to start with. A small pocket-sized fishing kit is another item you will want to add, even if you live in the desert. The hooks and weights can be used to make multiple survival items as well.
- Raincoat or Poncho! Being forced away from your home in good weather is bad enough, but if it is wet or stormy that just adds to your misery. A good poncho or rain coat can be worth their weight in gold and can make a miserable time much more manageable. Besides you really don’t want to get sick at a time like that.
- Dry Socks! Because you just never know how far you may have to walk and under what weather conditions, you will always need several pairs of good thick socks in your bad. Blisters suck and having to walk with blisters sucks even more!
- Compass and map! While a good GPS is nice if you have one and it still works, but what if it doesn’t? You will always’ s need a way to navigate, why take a chance on GPS working and pack a good compass and a map for the area you may need to travel? Of course neither of these will do you any good if you don’t take the time to learn how to use them. Take the time now and you will be glad you did when that GPS turns into a paper weight. They are small and light weight, but very important to have.
- First-Aid kit! You never know what you may wind up with on the road to safety, and if you were to twist an ankle or get a small cut, then you will need a way to take care of it. This is especially true if you have small kids with you. Just a small kit that you can stuff in the side pocket of you BOB should be sufficient to start with.
- Clothes! If you still have room then grab some dry clothes and use one of those vacuum bags to make them as small as possible and shove them in the bottom of your bag. If you get wet or cold, you will need a way to get warm and dry. One set, nothing fancy, remember that space is important so take only the bare essentials.
While I’m sure I am probably forgetting something, this is the basics of a BOB and once you have these in it then you can expand it, with things like a machete and a pistol or something to hunt with. Just remember to pack the basics first and then go from there. Also remember not to make it any heavier than you can comfortably carry. Fight the urge to add everything but the kitchen sink and you will be much better off, when the time comes to use it.
Well I guess that is it for today and I hope you have found this information helpful. Until next time, stay safe, stay strong, and stay prepared. God Save America!
-Sarge-
I have all that and more. My boots are so big, I keep them under the seat. The only thing I disagree with is your food. I keep some food in a small cooler that I take with me when I venture out more than 40-50 miles. Your cars temps get very hot and destroys the food in no time. I just keep it by the front door and take it when I need.
I picked up one of those little solo stoves the other day. I had a GSI coffee percolator that’s in my bag. I can use it to boil water,boil water for freeze dried food and of course , make coffee. Don’t just survive,thrive. A slingshot is also a good thing to have, it gives you an unlimited amount of ammo. Good article Sarge.