Building your first bug out pack might seem daunting to someone who is new to survival. Everyone you hear about has been tinkering with theirs for months, if not years, and has amassed an arsenal of hardware. It’s difficult to know where to begin, but if you cover all of the essentials in a survival crisis, you’ll be well ahead of 99 percent of people.
A Bug Out Bag (BOB), also known as an I.N.C.H Bag (I’m Never Coming Home Bag), a Get Out of Dodge Bag (GOOD Bag), or a 72 Hour Bag, is often meant to get you out of an emergency scenario and allow you to survive self-contained for up to three days. Many people design their Bug Out Bag to last much longer, but there is always a limit to what you can carry on your back, and a three-day aim is a decent place to start.
17 Survival Items For Your Bug Out Bag
1. Sleeping Bags
Instead of heavy snoozing bags, simply take a couple of emergency bivvies. Of course, this relies upon on the place you stay and the time of year. Here in the South, these will do simply quality 10 months out of the year, however up north they may now not be enough.
2. Tent
Instead of a heavy tent, simply get a tarp and some cordage so you can construct a shelter. Doing this ought to take 5 to 10 kilos off the weight of your bag.
3. Camping Tripods
Another 5 to 10 kilos you don’t need. Why raise some thing like this when you can make your personal the usage of sticks? Just locate three lengthy and sturdy sticks and tie them together. Other than that, all you want is a hook and a wire from which to dangle your cooking pot.
4. Camping Lantern
This is nothing however a massive waste of space. Just use your flashlight or construct a hearth if you want light.
5. Flare Gun
Unless you suppose you’re going to stop up on a wasteland island, there’s no cause you want a flare gun. Besides, there are higher methods to make your self seen, the satisfactory of which is to construct a massive fire. You ought to additionally use a signaling reflect or a brightly-colored tarp.
6. Bottled Water
Unless you stay in the center of a very dry desert, you have to elevate a water filter instead. Of course, this capability you’ll have to recognize how to discover and purify water. If you suppose it will take a whilst to locate water, then anyone in your team may want to elevate a liter or two of water simply in case.
7. Canned Food
Because of all the water in it, canned meals is simply too heavy for the quantity of energy you get. You’re higher off getting freeze-dried meals and rehydrating it with water you find.
8. Cast Iron Skillets
Cast iron cookware is WAY too heavy to take with you. Just deliver a small cookset instead. This one is simply over half of a pound.
9. Plateware, Utensils, etc.
Some human beings pack more bowls, cups, plates, forks, etc., however you don’t truly want all that. Just carry a spork and consume your meals proper out of the pot or package.
10. Toiletries
Things like shampoo, deodorant, and mouthwash aren’t truly essential. Yes, deliver some camp cleaning soap and toothpaste, however if you’re bugging out it won’t rely if your hair is vivid or if your breath is minty. Remember, you’re no longer bugging out so you can stay in the desolate tract for months on end. You’re bugging out till you can get to a protected location.
11. Medications
Don’t pack a complete bottle of aspirin or a complete bottle of hypersensitive reaction medication. It should take a lengthy time to get via all that. Instead, take out adequate capsules to ultimate a week and put them in mini ziplock bags.
12. Survival Books
Books weigh a lot, however know-how doesn’t weigh anything. Instead of taking a bunch of heavy books with you, simply learn about the statistics in these books so you’ll have it in your head when you want it. There is one feasible exception, though. The pocket-size version of the SAS Survival Guide is solely 7 oz. and is stuffed with superb information.
13. Games
Travel measurement video games are enjoyable and can assist pass by the time, however you don’t genuinely want them. If you’re bugging out, you’re going to be busy walking, foraging, cooking, etc. One feasible exception is a deck of cards. You can play various video games with it and it solely weighs a 1/3 of an ounce. Better yet, get a deck with survival guidelines printed on it.
14. Heavy Tools
It’s tempting to stuff all your favourite tools–saw, wire cutters, socket wrench, etc.–into your bag, however how possibly are you to genuinely want them? If you’re bugging out, you in all likelihood won’t be reducing down timber or fixing cars. You additionally don’t want matters like can openers and screwdrivers as lengthy as you have a first rate multitool such as a Leatherman.
15. Backup Gear
The rule of “two is one, one is none” is very true, but if you’re simply making an attempt to live to tell the tale outside for a few days, there’s no want to be bogged down with too many backup equipment and supplies. Of course, use your first-class judgment. Having some water purification drugs in addition to a water filter is okay.
The solely different exception is fireplace starters. Lighters, matches, and Ferro rods don’t weigh tons and furnace is extraordinarily important, however having an more tarp or an greater radio appears unnecessary. Take a top appear at all your backups and reflect onconsideration on their weight and how in all likelihood you are to sincerely want them.
16. Extra Pants
Pants, particularly jeans, can be fairly heavy. I endorse simply sporting the ones you have on. Sure, they’ll get dirty, however deal with it. This isn’t a vacation. Just carry a skivvy roll.
17. Extra Ammo
It’s k to raise a gun and a little bit of ammo for self defense. But frankly, if you want greater than a dozen rounds then you’re probable screwed, anyway.
A Few More Tips to Lighten Your Bug Out Bag
If you get rid of all these matters and your bag is nevertheless a bit heavier than you’d like, there are a few different matters you can do.
- Get Lighter Versions of Items – For example, if you can locate a hatchet that’s a pound lighter than the one you have, a radio that’s a couple kilos lighter than the one you have, and so forth, then ultimately you can have all the identical kinds of objects however a a whole lot lighter bag. Here are some extra ideas.
- Bring Multipurpose Items – You’ll store a lot of area and weight if you convey objects that can be used for many exceptional things. For example, a multitool, a flashlight/radio combo, and small, beneficial objects like bandanas, paper clips, dental floss, and so forth.
- Lighten Your Stuff – For example, reduce down the take care of on your toothbrush, drill holes in non-vital components of equipment, reduce off needless straps and portions of material on things, etc. There’s a lot you can do if you’re creative.
- Get in Shape – This is one of the fantastic matters you can do. Every day, put on your computer virus out bag and go for a walk. Eventually, your muscle mass will adapt and it won’t appear very heavy anymore.
Conclusion:
Hopefully, this facts will assist you extensively minimize the weight of your trojan horse out bag. If you stop up having to stroll a large distance after a disaster, it ought to imply the distinction between lifestyles and death.
Note: These are merely suggestions so please don’t follow my advice blindly. Use your best judgment before throwing anything away.