Essential equipment for your bug out bag - checklist of what to include

On an individual basis, people always look at survival gear as a secondary to survival skills, but really both are equal in terms of importance when it comes to Bugging out. A bug out bag addresses a lot of concerns in being prepared for natural disaster preparedness, and a survival situation where skills and gear intersect. So naturally, depending on the gear you choose, those choices will prolong your survival. In this article, we are going to put focus on gear more than skills and go through 5 items that will fit perfectly in your bug out bag.

Understanding the Bug-Out bag

There are principles for bugging out that should be considered, especially if you are building it for a certain period of time, such as, a three-day bag or a week long supply. It is also important to consider using a bug-out bag for getting out of a survival scenario or to help you get home in an emergency such as a natural disaster or getting away from your home and escaping to a secondary location. Overall, a bug-out bag should be exclusively used for a short-term purpose to get you to out of a highly populated area and into a more remote location. It is also important to have gear that is durable, long-lasting and has multiple uses. Here are three questions to ponder when putting a bag together:

• 1. Is the bag for an individual or a group? (In the case of a family, you could have bug out bags for each person.)
• 2. How long should the supplies last?
• 3. Can the Bag carry specialized gear? (This would pertain to medical supplies, Guns and Ammo, fishing gear, Trapping gear etc.)

Here’s The List of 5 Must Have Gear Items in Your Bug-Out Bag

1. Bug Out Backpack

The 5.11 Tactical Rush72 55LPack is a good choice for the amount of compartments that it has, but, it may also stick out a little due to its military look. 5.11 gear is usable and durable in a lot of environments. It is also customizable with Molle straps and Velcro to give it a modern design. Another option could be the Mystery Ranch Scree 32L, this one is more pedestrian in its look and design, and it can also have an adjustable torso yoke. But, it’s not as modular as the Rush72.

2. Medical Kit

Adventure Medical Backpacker kit, is a piece of gear that ideally should have useful treatments for wounds medications gauze and specialized gear. This kit contains an irrigation syringe. It is all very organized in a 13.4 ounce bag.

3. Meal Bars or Dried food

I put this as a general recommendation because there are so many options that you could get for food that good for long storage. Some good name brands are Mountain House (Their line called adventure meals that come in foil or Mylar pouches are good). Another brand worth considering is Good to-go 5 Day Emergency food kit. Even having a trail mix is good, but whatever you get, make sure you have it sealed really well. For bars, if you want the basic granola bar or something that is fortified with nutrients and protein like PowerBars, or meal replacement bars etc.

4. Water Bottles or Water Bladder

This is a somewhat limiting element when it comes to water. Even if it comes down to weight or versatility, you should want versatility. A plastic water bottle such as a 1L Hydrapak Flux or a Nalgene bottle that comes in 32 or 48 ounces works. Not to mention, the Hydrapak flux is a collapsible design.

5. Bedding and Shelter

There are many suitable options that you can consider for a sleeping bag and or bedding. For a go-to sleeping bag, Coleman has some of the best a great option would be the All-Weather Multi-Layer Sleeping Bag, It’s great because it has liners that can be removed and inserted when convenient all in one package. For shelter, space blanket and cordage to hang it might be all you can get in short notice, but that’s where skill is needed. But nevertheless, here’s a good hiker’s tent by One Tigris that is a two-person capacity tent called the Cosmitto.

Other Considerations

There are other things you need such as bedding and shelter that are important to consider for long term use. The main purpose of the bag should be that it has enough supplies to last for 3 days up to a week if possible. Some people even have different versions of bug out bags that can be a short term such as using a sling bag that can carry only specialized gear but, that is a different article. Overall, the gear is secondary to training and mindset. A bug-out bag is another puzzle piece that can help you and others around you.