If you’re reading this article, chances are you’re familiar with the term bug out bag. You probably even have one of your own. Maybe you got some ideas for its contents from one of the plethora of lists already available on the Inter-web. But hopefully you didn’t follow it to a tee, because there is no such thing as a perfect, universal bug-out-bag.

Have you read our feature article – Bug Out or Bug In when the SHTF? It’s a must read

To begin creating your essentials, start with a list of potential contents that you think would be useful to carry into the wilderness if a disaster survival situation arises. Chances are not everything you list will end up making it into the bag. You’ll probably remove and swap items out over time as you become more familiar with your gear. Once you’ve decided on what you need to carry, then you can decide on a good bag to to take your supplies.

Must-Have Bug-Out-Bag Items

Water and Purification

Without a doubt, water is the most important necessity for survival. You can survive without food for upwards of 3 weeks, but you can only go without water for about 3 days. Strive to have at least 1 liter of drinking water per person/per day. A better goal would be for a gallon/day–2 quarts for drinking and 2 quarts for cooking and cleaning.

Your pack should have at least one container for carrying water in addition to multiple means of purifying water for drinking. Most water collected from wild sources and rain catches contains potentially harmful bacteria and toxins that need to be killed before it is consumed.

Recommended pack items include:

3 liters drinking water (72-hour supply)

Hard plastic water bottle

Metal water bottle/canteen

Metal drinking cup

Collapsible bottle/bladder

Purifying straw

Hand-pump purifier

Iodine tablets/other capsule (x3 minimum)

Bleach

Condoms (unlubricated)

Shelter Building

Shelter is not to be overlooked, as exposure to the elements can kill you in minutes–especially in below-freezing temperatures and heavy precipitation. Also, one can’t discredit the value of mental and physical rest during a survival situation when your body and mind are working overtime.

Pre-made shelters should be considered, as should more primitive and minimalist measures. Whether you prefer you sleep in the trees, on the ground, inside a covered tent, or exposed under an A-frame lean-to, the following gear will help make your nights more comfortable and restful.

Tarp/plastic sheet

Lightweight tent

Sleeping bag

Ground pad

Compact hammock

Cordage

Fire Starting

Ask anyone who’s had to rely upon a single plastic lighter or few waterlogged matches to start a fire in the wild. They’ll probably tell you they wish they had more methods to choose from.

Fire is an essential and incredibly dynamic element to have during a survival situation. Fire gives you the ability to boil water, cook food, and stay warm and dry overnight. If you don’t have a backup to your backup, you may very well suffer through some cold and miserable nights. It’s recommended you have at least 3 methods for starting a fire, as well as several options for tinder.

Lighter

Waterproof matches

Magnesium rod & steel striker

Magnifying glass

Cotton balls (Vaseline coated)

Steel wool

Tea candles

Altoids box/cardboard candle

Trick birthday candles

Emergency signal flair

Waterproof storage container





Food Preparation and Catching

Fortunately, the body can last 3 weeks without food. But in a survival situation you burn more energy and tire faster, meaning you’ll eventually need a nutritional recharge. Many doomsday preppers –especially those intent on hunkering down at home–recommend a mixture of store-bought nonperishable items and dehydrated products.

When choosing your BOB food, you must consider whether or not your meals will require water to be eaten. Automatically assume that your water supply will be scarce and pack food items that won’t deplete your drinking reserves. Plan to have a 3-day supply of food for each member of your family or group.

MRE/dehydrated meals (x3)

Protein/energy bars (x6)

Powdered drink mix (Tang, Gatorade)

Dried fruit, nuts, jerky

Coffee/tea

Honey

Salt & Pepper

Metal utensils/spork

Can opener

Metal pot

Portable stove (extra fuel)

Fishing kit

Snare wire

First-Aid

You never know how far away hospital and emergency services will be in a wilderness or disaster survival situation. Your risk of suffering an injury increases during a crisis, as does your need to know basic first-aid and wound dressing.

You’re better of making your own personalized first-aid kit over choosing a store-bought variety that may not be well-suited for a survival bug-out-bag. Many items can be found around the house, but other less-conventional supplies should be explored as well.

Antibiotic ointment

Sterile gauze

Assorted bandages

Painkillers

Antihistamines

Medical tape

Surgical tubing

Cotton balls

Tampon

Tweezers

Scissors

Safety pins

Suture kit

Insect repellant

Razor blade

Instant heat/cold pack

Hydrogen Peroxide

Clothing

The clothing you choose to wear and pack is a largely personal decision that also depends on the climate and terrain in your area. Your goal is to maintain an optimal body temperature by staying warm and dry whenever possible.

Have at least 2 sets of clothing, one to wear and one as extra. Wet clothes could induce hypothermia and be your downfall, so always have a dry set. Wear clothes in layers and adjust as needed.

Long sleeve shirt

Pants (convertible zip-off)

Underwear

Wool socks (x3)

Fleece jacket

Raingear

Gloves

Hat/Scarf/Shemagh

Boots

Personal Hygiene

Personal hygiene items are often left out of BOB lists. But regular personal hygiene plays a role in your overall health and forgoing certain maintenance could lead to infection and sickness.

Toothbrush

Toilet paper

Disinfecting wipes

Hand sanitizer

Soap

Mirror

Dental floss

Sun block

Quick-dry towel

Tools

Everyone loves gadgets, but not all of them should have a home in your pack. You need to scrutinize every ounce you put into your pack and must therefore learn to separate the “wants” from the “must-haves.” These contents will vary from pack to pack, but the basics are the same.

Survival knife (fixed-blade with sheath)

Multi-tool/Swiss Army knife

Pry/Crowbar

Wire saw

Illumination

You may not always be in a position to start a fire, nor does the light from a natural flame provide optimal lighting for most tasks. Therefore you should have multiple sources of lighting, just as you should have at least 3 fire starting methods. The items below have multiple uses and can be disassembled to use internal parts, but each will help you navigate and work at night and in low light.

Headlamp

LED keychain light

Steel LED flashlight

Glow stick

Candles

Spare batteries

Communication

Who knows what communication devices will be at your disposal in a grid-down scenario? Ideally you’ll want a secondary means to communicate with your party and receive any news updates still being broadcast.

Cell phone

Crank or solar charger

Emergency crank radio

Walkie-talkies

HAM radio









Navigation and Traveling

These items will vary depending on your situation, but having them could make for easier navigation and less hassle on the road.

Local map

Compass

$100-500 assorted cash

Gold/silver coins

Waterproof paper and pen

Emergency whistle

Self-Defense

You must decide what measures you are willing to take to defend yourself in a SHTF scenario. You must also abide by the laws of your national and local governments in regards to firearms and self-defense. With that said, no BOB should be without some kind of protection, be it a firearm or can of mace.

If available to you, firearms should be considered, as they are effective for both self-defense and hunting purposes. If you decide to carry a firearm, be sure to go through the proper channels for its purchase and consider taking safety and training courses.

Pepper spray

Handgun

Rifle (.22 caliber)

Ammo (25+ rounds/gun)

Cleaning kit

Gun lubrication

Holster/sling

Miscellaneous Items

The remaining items don’t necessarily have a place in the above categories but may be useful components for a BOB. Some are less conventional and may take some ingenuity to use while others are more obvious inclusions, but all should be taken into consideration.

Hatchet

Duct tape

Electrical tape

Aluminum foil

Siphon/hand pump

GPS system

Garden wire

Assorted electrical fuses

Trekking poles

Bandana

Binoculars/Monocular

Chocolate

Vinegar

Survival blanket

Zip ties

Pet considerations

Child considerations

Remember, there is no such thing as a perfectly stocked bug-out-bag. There are some things on this list that you may not need or have access to and other items we failed to address. Having these essential items doesn’t give you a get out of jail free card–a bug-out-bag alone will not keep you alive. The supplies within are intended to help you survive for at least 72-hours after a disaster and find your way to safety. With that said, its up to you to choose the appropriate equipment and learn how to use it effectively through regular practice and training. A bug-out-bag is only as good as the gear inside, and the gear is only good if you know how to use it.

The Bug out Bag Info graphic – Click to Enlarge

Category: Bug-Out