Bug Out Bag Checklist
If the situation arises, either a without rule of law (WROL), a natural disaster or emergency or civil unrest or even a full blown SHTF situation – being able to just grab a ready to go bag is crucial to a prepper .
Although there is much controversy over what to keep in your Bug Out Bag (BOB), here’s a simple and comprehensive list for the basics that you will want and need.
Your personal prepper options and needs will vary of course, and you should customize your bug-out bags to your situation.
As well, it would be a large benefit for everyone in your family to have their own Bug Out Bags including small children.
Keep in mind that everyone’s situation is different and you will want to add things or take away things depending on your personal choices. For example, if you live in a colder climate you will need additional supplies for Winter Preparedness.
I am only listing what I have collected for my bug out bag and what I think should be in everyone’s Bug Out Bag. Also keep in mind I live in the lower 48’s and do not have to worry about snow or anything close to that.
This is just my take on what you should definitely have in your bug out bag. Of course there are more things that would be nice to have in my Bug Out Bag these survival things are what I’m going to start with then add on to it slowly.
A bug out bag contains the essentials you need to live if you are forced to leave your location. This prepper bag will have everything you need plus some additional supplies, but careful thought and consideration should be given to what you are putting in this bag. Why? Because you will have to carry all of this stuff and the more you add, the heavier it gets. I wrote a post a while back about weight considerations called “Is Your Bug Out Bag Going to Get you Killed?” and if you need more convincing about weight, maybe you should read that article first. For the rest of you I will assume that you want to carefully consider the supplies you need in this situation. For preppers like you I have created this simple list of Bug Out bag contents, a downloadable PDF and a little explanation for each.
The properly loaded Bug Out Bag should give you everything you need to live for 3 days at a minimum so that is the framework of this list. I won’t be packing two weeks’ worth of food in here and most of this list might be considered the bare necessities by some.
What do you need to know before you pack your bug out bag? First of all, I like to ask the question of why I am bugging out in the first place. This helps me frame the purpose of use of my bug out bag a little, but not drastically. Like I said above, the Bug Out Bag or BOB is for saving your life. It will not and should not be thought of as the magic box with all you will ever need. The list of supplies we could put in here is enormous if you start from the perspective of thinking of everything you could possibly need in an SHTF scenario.
I believe that the items below should go in virtually every bug out bag that is assembled regardless of the reason you are Bugging Out in the first place. Will you pack different items if the economy has collapsed as opposed to a Hurricane? Probably, but the essential Bug out bag items will stay the same; you will just add to what we have contained here.
What Items do you need to put in your bug out bag?
1. Water
All living things need water to live and without it you aren’t going to survive very long, so it is the most important item on your bug out bag list.
A prepper needs at least a liter a day of water to survive, which means your bug out bag list should have three liters of water at a minimum on it.
You should also pack in some water purification pills or a water filter in case you have to search for water or that your normal water supply gets contaminated.
2. Food
This is an obvious bug out bag list item. However, what type of food to carry is important.
You need to carry a three day supply of food, which needs to be of the imperishable kinds such as freeze dried ready to eat type meals that you can find in a camping supply store.
You merely add boiling water or some can be eaten as is. You can also include easy-to-carry items like jerky, granola bars, tins of sardines, dried fruits, nuts or other small food items.
3. First Aid Kit
A bug out bag also needs at least a small basic first aid kit that contains bandages, antiseptic ointment, pain medication, any needed prescription medications, etc.
You can buy a pre-made first aid kit, but it is also a good idea to add in personal items unique to your own situation. For example, if you are diabetic it would be a good idea to include non-perishable insulin, such as the type in the new insulin pens.
4. Shelter
If you actually have to leave the area, then your bug out bag should include some kind of shelter such as a small tent, sleeping bag, and ground cloth. There are many companies that make lightweight but durable shelters that take up very little space.
5. Emergency Gear
There are standard bug out bag list items you cannot forget to include like:
· matches
· flashlights
· batteries
· a small radio
·
6. Important Documents
You may also want to put things on your bug out bag list like copies of important documents (i.e. passport, birth certificate, ID cards, etc.).
In the event things do return to some sense of normalcy, you will need to be able have proof of your prepper identify.
7. Cash
You will need to keep currency on you and an emergency credit card is also a good idea.
When deciding on cash, be sure to bring small bills and coins as well as the big bills. Foreign currency is not a bad idea as well depending on where you live.
8. Weapons
Weapons may also be included in the bug out bag such as a knife, gun, or other item. It isn’t fun to think about needing such things, but in an emergency they could save your prepper life.
Many people are not comfortable with guns but some type of weapon is required for any bug out bag.
9. Miscellaneous Items
And you can also include assorted extras such as needles and thread, pins, masks, duct tape, things to keep you entertained like cards or small games, or other small items unique to your own situation.
Remember, start with a simple bug out bag list of essentials and build from there.
Bug out bags can be tailored to each individual, but don’t make the mistake of not having one, as a bug out bag is vital in case of an emergency.
Although there is much controversy over what to keep in your Bug Out Bag (BOB), here’s a simple and comprehensive list for the basics that you will want and need.
Your personal prepper options and needs will vary of course, and you should customize your bug-out bags to your situation.
As well, it would be a large benefit for everyone in your family to have their own Bug Out Bags including small children.
Keep in mind that everyone’s situation is different and you will want to add things or take away things depending on your personal choices. For example, if you live in a colder climate you will need additional supplies for Winter Preparedness.
I am only listing what I have collected for my bug out bag and what I think should be in everyone’s Bug Out Bag. Also keep in mind I live in the lower 48’s and do not have to worry about snow or anything close to that.
This is just my take on what you should definitely have in your bug out bag. Of course there are more things that would be nice to have in my Bug Out Bag these survival things are what I’m going to start with then add on to it slowly.
A bug out bag contains the essentials you need to live if you are forced to leave your location. This prepper bag will have everything you need plus some additional supplies, but careful thought and consideration should be given to what you are putting in this bag. Why? Because you will have to carry all of this stuff and the more you add, the heavier it gets. I wrote a post a while back about weight considerations called “Is Your Bug Out Bag Going to Get you Killed?” and if you need more convincing about weight, maybe you should read that article first. For the rest of you I will assume that you want to carefully consider the supplies you need in this situation. For preppers like you I have created this simple list of Bug Out bag contents, a downloadable PDF and a little explanation for each.
The properly loaded Bug Out Bag should give you everything you need to live for 3 days at a minimum so that is the framework of this list. I won’t be packing two weeks’ worth of food in here and most of this list might be considered the bare necessities by some.
What do you need to know before you pack your bug out bag? First of all, I like to ask the question of why I am bugging out in the first place. This helps me frame the purpose of use of my bug out bag a little, but not drastically. Like I said above, the Bug Out Bag or BOB is for saving your life. It will not and should not be thought of as the magic box with all you will ever need. The list of supplies we could put in here is enormous if you start from the perspective of thinking of everything you could possibly need in an SHTF scenario.
I believe that the items below should go in virtually every bug out bag that is assembled regardless of the reason you are Bugging Out in the first place. Will you pack different items if the economy has collapsed as opposed to a Hurricane? Probably, but the essential Bug out bag items will stay the same; you will just add to what we have contained here.
What Items do you need to put in your bug out bag?
1. Water
All living things need water to live and without it you aren’t going to survive very long, so it is the most important item on your bug out bag list.
A prepper needs at least a liter a day of water to survive, which means your bug out bag list should have three liters of water at a minimum on it.
You should also pack in some water purification pills or a water filter in case you have to search for water or that your normal water supply gets contaminated.
2. Food
This is an obvious bug out bag list item. However, what type of food to carry is important.
You need to carry a three day supply of food, which needs to be of the imperishable kinds such as freeze dried ready to eat type meals that you can find in a camping supply store.
You merely add boiling water or some can be eaten as is. You can also include easy-to-carry items like jerky, granola bars, tins of sardines, dried fruits, nuts or other small food items.
3. First Aid Kit
A bug out bag also needs at least a small basic first aid kit that contains bandages, antiseptic ointment, pain medication, any needed prescription medications, etc.
You can buy a pre-made first aid kit, but it is also a good idea to add in personal items unique to your own situation. For example, if you are diabetic it would be a good idea to include non-perishable insulin, such as the type in the new insulin pens.
4. Shelter
If you actually have to leave the area, then your bug out bag should include some kind of shelter such as a small tent, sleeping bag, and ground cloth. There are many companies that make lightweight but durable shelters that take up very little space.
5. Emergency Gear
There are standard bug out bag list items you cannot forget to include like:
· matches
· flashlights
· batteries
· a small radio
·
6. Important Documents
You may also want to put things on your bug out bag list like copies of important documents (i.e. passport, birth certificate, ID cards, etc.).
In the event things do return to some sense of normalcy, you will need to be able have proof of your prepper identify.
7. Cash
You will need to keep currency on you and an emergency credit card is also a good idea.
When deciding on cash, be sure to bring small bills and coins as well as the big bills. Foreign currency is not a bad idea as well depending on where you live.
8. Weapons
Weapons may also be included in the bug out bag such as a knife, gun, or other item. It isn’t fun to think about needing such things, but in an emergency they could save your prepper life.
Many people are not comfortable with guns but some type of weapon is required for any bug out bag.
9. Miscellaneous Items
And you can also include assorted extras such as needles and thread, pins, masks, duct tape, things to keep you entertained like cards or small games, or other small items unique to your own situation.
Remember, start with a simple bug out bag list of essentials and build from there.
Bug out bags can be tailored to each individual, but don’t make the mistake of not having one, as a bug out bag is vital in case of an emergency.