The Essential Bug Out Bag

The Bug Out Bag is meant to be the emergency supplies bag you grab on your way out the door. Better yet, it should be carried in your vehicle at all times just in case you can’t make it home to grab your stuff.

Every member of your household or team must have a Bug out Bag pre assembled and ready to go at a moments notice. A Bug Out Bag has only one purpose, to provide you with the essentials needed to keep you alive and your weapon going for 72 hours while you get out of harms way. Some people will tell you that you have to carry a “max-pedition” ruck. They will load it down with everything including the kitchen sink then wonder why they can’t go a mile with their 120 pounds of junk. Carry only what you need to relocate to your safe house or cache site.

Remember the purpose of bugging out is to exit the area safely. Keep everything discreet. Blend in with the people. Drop the overtly military look.

You need to concentrate on 6 key areas:
1. Food
2. Basic sanitation
3. Medical
4. Fire starting/Light
5. Communication /Navigation
6. Self-Defense

Food:
Buy a case of MRE’s. Take 3-6 MRE’s out of their cardboard case and strip them down to the essentials to save weight and space. Add 5 or 6 energy bars and seal in a ziplock bag. You can also create your own MRE's with commonly available food from the supermarket.

Basic Sanitation:
Toilet paper, baby wipes, water purification tablets, small water filter, water bottle

Medical:
Small pouch
ACE bandage
6 pack of “BC” aspirin powders
1 Israeli Battle Dressing
antihistimine
Imodioum AD
rehydration pacs
antiseptic ointment
bandages
deet

Firestarting / Light:
Tactical flashlight with 3 sets of batteries, box of wooden matches, 2 BIC lighters, 2 emergency candles, Alcohol soaked dryer lint in pill bottle

Tools:
Leatherman tool, sheath knife or large folder, 25-50 feet 550 cord, roll of electrical tape, basic weapons cleaning kit

Communication / Navigation:
VHF 2-meter handheld radio with ½ wave flex antenna and 3 sets of batteries
Scanner with spare batteries
local map, note pad and pencil,

Self Defense:
Rifle case (discreet) Don’t carry a case that screams “gun”.
Rifle - lightweight, short semi-auto such as a M4 or short barrel AK with folding stock
6 magazines with ammo
180 round battle pack in bandolier
spare parts - firing pin, extractor, and related springs
handgun, holster, 4 magazines with ammo

Misc:
Poncho with insulated liner...doubles as a sleeping bag
Light wind breaker, 2 pair spare heavy work socks


"The time for war has not yet come, but it will come and that soon, and when it does come, my advice is to draw the sword and throw away the scabbard." Gen. T.J. Jackson, March 1861