First Aid

It probably goes without saying that your Bug Out Bag needs an extensive first aid kit. A complete kit should include supplies for all sorts of first aid issues, including both injuries and illnesses. Be prepared to take care of a wide range of afflictions, whether internal or external. Digestive problems are common when out of your element and are an often forgotten ailment during Bug Out Bag planning. Pack supplements and medicines especially for digestive issues to keep your system running smoothly.

Step-by-step First Aid guide

Elastic bandage

Vinyl gloves

Bandaids

New-skin liquid bandage

Sterile pads

SteriStrips

Moist towelettes

Alcohol swabs

Cotton swabs

Vaseline

Gauze pads

QuikClot

Instant cold compress

Medical adhesive tape

Antibiotic ointment

Burn gel

Aloe vera gel

Anti-itch cream

Monistat anti-fungal cream

Moleskin

Tweezers

Tick reference card

Dental repair kit

Medications and supplements Ibuprofen Pepto Bismol Benadryl Multivitamins Muscle relaxants (prescription medication) Pain killers (prescription medication) Anti-anxiety pills (prescription medication) Antibiotics (prescription medication) Fiber pills Immodium Ranitidine Alka-Seltzer Prilosec Caffeine pills Oscillococcinum Cold/mucus relief pills DripDrop hydration powder iOSAT Ammonia inhalants (smelling salts) Charcoal pills (used to treat poisoning)



Toiletries

This part of the bag is comprehensive under the assumption that you may find yourself in unpredictable conditions, which can strongly effect your health and personal hygiene. There may be environmental constraints that prevent you from washing your hands, showering, relieving yourself discreetly, or even sleeping. I’ve packed this part of the kit with all of this in mind.

Toilet paper

Citronella camp soap

Tissues

Deodorant powder

Sunscreen packets

Cotton swabs and cotton balls

Razor

Coconut oil – This stuff has so many uses, which is why I keep an 8 oz. bottle of it in my bag. Not only is it a great vaseline substitute, but it can be used for treating skin conditions and cooking too!

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Floss

Comb

Hair ties

Antibacterial hand wipes

Antibacterial hand gel

Bug spray

Bobby pins

Nail clippers

Salonpas pain patches

Tiger Balm

Medicated Blistex

Blindfold (to aid sleep in bright places)

Earplugs (to aid sleep in loud places or for ear protection when using a firearm)

GoGirl

Tampons and pads

Washable reusable menstrual pad – Ladies, I definitely recommend these for a bug out situation. They are highly absorbant, reusable, and comfortable, which is perfect if you’re potentially on the go for a while.

Food & Cooking

Many people consider a Bug Out Bag to be a “72-hour Bag”, so by this standard, it’s best to pack food to last you for up to 3 days. I pack a combination of MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) and meals I’ve packed myself. Each meal contains at least 500 calories and consists of a variety of foods, including Pop-Tarts, tuna, instant oatmeal, drink powders, etc. You can pack whatever suits you, but make sure that each item is high in calories in relation to its size, doesn’t weight too much, and is fairly easy to prepare (or better yet, requires no preparation). Also, make sure to check your stock every few months and rotate out food that is soon to expire.

MREs (5)

Pre-packed meals (4)

Cook set (all supplies fit inside stainless steel container) 2 cups Esbit folding titanium stove Aluminum foil Seasoning blend Can opener Culinary multitool (with fork, knife, spoon, and peeler)



Communication/Electronics

Waterproof 2-Way Radio – I chose the Motorola MS350Rs because they are durable and waterproof. My boyfriend keeps the other one in his bag.

Portable cell phone charger

Solar charger

Hand crank radio with charger

Phone charging adapter cables

USB brick

Sharpie

Pen

Chalk

Red glow sticks (for high visibility)

Waterproof note pad

Map of my local area – in case GPS isn’t available

Collapsable LED lantern/flashlight

Waterproof phone case

Folding binoculars

Headlamp

Extra batteries

Miscellaneous

SAS Survival Guide

N95 masks

Hospital masks

Bag repair kit Super glue Seam Grip Electrical tape Duct tape Tenacious tape

Waterproof playing cards – A little bit of fun can give a big morale boost in a tough situation!

Wallet with extra cash and copies of identification

Packing Tips & Other Considerations

Packing Order

Packing items in a logical order by importance and frequency of use will help you get the most out of your bag. You’ll want to keep certain items easily accessible, while others can be packed away at the bottom. Take your first aid kit for example. Keeping it in an outer pocket is best in case the need for medical attention arises. You may not have time, or the ability, to search through your bag for it. On the other hand, supplies like shelter building materials and clothing can be packed away, as they are usually less critical to have at hand urgently.

Packing for Others

You may find yourself needing to prep for others when packing your bag, such as children or pets. Keep this in mind as you are shopping for gear, but remember to pack for yourself first and others second. If the people or animals in your care are able to carry their own bag, they should. At the very least, those who are able can carry their portion of the food supply.

If you’re interested in learning more about prepping for dogs, I’ll be posting a Dog Bug Out Bag article in the near future. Dogs will likely leave with you in a bug out situation and have their own set of needs to prepare for.