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. You need to be highly mobile so travel light. Limit your weight to 20-35 pounds. 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 quickly and safely. Keep everything discreet. Blend in with the people. Drop the overtly military look.
Gear
You will need a 3-day pack or a shoulder bag to carry your supplies, food and spare clothing. The German mountain ruck with a heavy rubberized bottom and two side pockets is a steal at $10. A vest and a heavy belt are a good way to carry essential gear in case you have to drop the pack. A set of Bdu's, Cargo pants, and work shirt in solid colors such as tan, od green, grey or dark blue should be kept in the pack. Survival gear such as a first aid kit, fire starting equipment and toilet paper can be carried in your "bug out" clothing.
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.
Basic Sanitation:
Toilet paper, baby wipes, water purification tablets
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
