Bug-Out Bags

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A bug-out bag contains those items needed to support yourself if you are forced to evacuate your home and move to a safer location. The idea is to carry those items needed to allow you to move from point A to point B in a quick and safe manner. While the exact contents of a bug-out bag will vary based on your location, the environment, and your individual needs - the focus of a bug-out bag should be keeping it light weight and including just that gear that you need to accomplish your task of getting to a safe location.

A bug-out bag is NOT something that you grab and run to the nearest patch of forest where you plan to live off the land. This is almost certainly a plan that will fail after no more than a few days.

“The term bugging out refers to the decision to abandon your home due to an unexpected emergency situation – whether a natural disaster or one caused by man… A Bug Out Bag (BOB) is a self-contained kit designed to get you through at least 72 hours of independent survival while on the journey to your destination… Your BOB should be designed to sustain you and your family for 72 hours. You should be able to reach a safe destination with access to supplies within a 72-hour time frame.”  (Stewart, 2012, pp. 8-9 & 13)

“If, however, your idea of living off the land is heading for the nearest woods with nothing more than a backpack and a gleam of confidence in your eye, then I would rate your chances of surviving the sort of catastrophe which I contemplate as somewhere between zero and none.” (Tappan, 1981, p. 49)

“The #1, absolute, positive, you’re-going-to-die mistake is to take the “Lone Wolf” approach. You know who I’m talking about. The guy on the prepping forum that plans to move out to the national forest and “live off the land” like the Legend of Mick Dodge.” (Hollerman, 2016)

“The Real World – Hollywood and novelists paint a mighty rosy picture of the whole living-off-the-land concept. Oh sure, the hero might get a little chilly or downtrodden from time to time, but he or she always prevails in the end. Here’s the thing: In the grand scheme of things, there are relatively few people who could pull off living off the land for a long period of time. And almost every one of those people will tell you to avoid doing it if at all possible and to make a better plan… Having the skills and knowledge to be able to acquire food in the wild is certainly a good thing. But making your primary plan to run to the woods and live off the land for long periods of time in the event of a major incident is making a plan to fail.” (Cobb, Headed For The Hills?, 2017)  

 

Rather than make a list of items to add to your bug-out bag, we are providing links to the following YouTube videos that offer some ideas on bug-out bags that seem to make a good deal of sense.

Bugout Bag? What’s Inside and Why? David Canterbury https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bN8nmGzwA4k

UPDATED! Green Beret's Ultralight Bug Out Bag with Gear Recommendations https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4GYjhwfvwU

The Get Home Bag Corporals Corner https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNBznojQ96g

How to Build Bug out Bags for a Family 2021 City Prepping https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhP4KWryWhc

SHTF Bug Out Bag (Cold Environment) Survival Lilly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjoogtASNRM

50 Items For Your Survival Kit and Bug Out Bag Canadian Prepper https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvx3C7R-R60





References:
Stewart, C. (2012). Build The Perfect Bug Out Bag. Blue Ash, OH: Betterway Home F+W Media, Inc.

Tappan, M. (1981). Tappan on Survival. Rogue River, OR: Janus Press.

Hollerman, J. (2016). Survival Theory: A Preparedness Guide. McConnellsburg, PA: APOC Publishing.

Cobb, J. (2017, Spring). Headed For The Hills? Survivor's Edge, pp. 70-71.

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