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Emergencies often happen suddenly, so preparation in the heat of the moment isn’t always an option. A well-packed bug out bag made in advance can become your lifeline during the first few days of an emergency, containing intentionally selected items that can help you survive and find safety.
Use this guide to learn what you need in your bag and why each item matters.
What is a Bug Out Bag?
A bug out bag is a ready-made survival kit that you can quickly grab and take with you when SHTF and you need to evacuate due to an emergency like a large-scale natural disaster. It also goes by other names, such as a go bag, go kit, grab bag, bail-out bag, or 72-hour bag. No matter what you call it, its meaning remains: it’s a portable, ready-packed disaster survival kit.
What Items Should Be in a Bug Out Bag?
Consider the most important categories of items for your bug out bag. These include first aid, protection from the elements, food supplies, water, shelter, fire, navigation, communication, and other miscellaneous essentials that don’t fall into these categories.
First Aid
First aid will keep you safe and healthy in case of injury or illness.
Medication
Start by packing any critical prescription medications you rely on regularly. Ensure they have clear labels with ample supply for at least a week. Also, consider over-the-counter basics like anti-inflammatories, antidiarrheals, antihistamines, etc.
Bandages
Include an assortment of bandages, from small band-aids to large trauma gauze and dressings and compression options.
Basic and Advanced First Aid Tools
Your basic supplies should include gloves, tweezers, scissors, eye rinse, a dust mask, antiseptic pads/alcohol pads, a cold compress, and insect sting relief. If you have space and want to add advanced items, pack a tourniquet, wound clotting agent, suture kit, scalpel blades, snakebite kit, and splint.
Hygiene Supplies
Maintain your cleanliness during emergencies with hand sanitizer, baby wipes, soap, and any feminine hygiene products you might need. These will help you prevent infection or illness during a challenging situation.
Protection From the Elements
The elements can be rough, and you can’t plan for specific weather, so it’s best to be prepared for any climate you might encounter.
Head Protection
Head protection should include a balaclava, sunglasses, bandana, hat, and gas mask. Each item can serve multiple purposes, from filtering harmful air contaminants to protecting you from the sun.
Torso and Leg Protection
Protect your core and limbs with clothing that can be adaptable to changing weather conditions, such as a moisture-wicking base layer and a waterproof overcoat.
Hand Protection
Your hands must stay warm to remain dexterous during an emergency, so pack work and thermal gloves.
Feet Protection
Protect your feet with high-quality hiking boots that you’ve already broken in, plus moisture-wicking socks.
Food Supplies
In this category, there’s an emphasis on food supplies over actual food items because the idea is to keep the pack as minimal as possible while allowing you still to meet the basic requirements of the human body.
Fishing Kit
A fishing kit will allow you to catch your food, and fish can be a vital source of protein and healthy fats. Ensure you know how to fish, as it’s a critical survival skill. Your fishing kit should include lines, lures, hooks, and knives.
Snares for Small Game
Include basic snare materials to catch small game, like squirrels, rabbits, minks, or possums. This might not be your first food choice, but it can be life-saving in a pinch.
Emergency Rations
Pack provisions if you’re worried about your ability to catch your own food. Emergency rations of lightweight, nutrient-dense, and calorie-dense food like peanut butter, nuts, jerky, and protein bars can keep your energy up and allow you to get somewhere safe.
Collapsible Cookware
Pack the most compact cooking equipment, allowing you to prepare any food you find while fishing, hunting, or foraging.
Cooling Solution
If you are packing a sizeable bug-out bag and have room for a cooler, choose something more functional, like the EcoFlow Glacier Portable Refrigerator. It has sections for cooling, freezing, and even ice-making. Just ensure you can carry this additional weight on your back.
Shelter
Shelter will keep you safe from weather conditions and give you a safe space to sleep until you reach your next destination.
Waterproof Tent
Choose a lightweight and durable tent to withstand rain, wind, heat, or snow.
Sleeping Bag
Your sleeping bag should be rated for the lowest expected temperatures in your area.
Emergency Blanket
A compact, reflective emergency blanket can trap additional warmth to protect your body heat or even signal for help in a pinch.
Tarp
Tarps are multi-purpose. You can create additional ground protection, add another rain shield to your tent, and more.
Foam Pad
Collapsible foam pads create additional distance between your sleeping bag and the ground, protecting your body heat when sleeping.
Water
Don’t plan on drinking straight from natural water sources, as these can house dangerous bacteria. Bring a few supplies to ensure clean drinking water access.
Canteen or Bottle
A durable container can hold an initial supply of clean drinking water and store any additional water you purify.
Filtration System
Filtration systems can turn natural rivers, streams, lakes, or waterfalls into potable water sources.
Purification Tablets
Purification tablets are an excellent backup water treatment method if your filtration system hits a snag.
Fire
Stay warm and cook your food with fire supplies.
Tinder
Store a few types of dry tinder in a waterproof container in your bug-out bag to make fire-starting easy and preserve your energy.
Matches
Waterproof matches should also be kept in a sealed container to prevent damage.
Lighter
The easiest way to start a large fire is with a small fire, so pack a reliable lighter or two in your bag.
Road Flares
Road flares are a last resort for a guaranteed fire and can also be used to signal for help in a pinch.
Navigation
When a disaster strikes, the tools you’ve come to rely on for navigation (like the smartphone) are no longer reliable sources of direction. You’ll need a more traditional, analog approach with items that can’t lose their capabilities even in bad weather or a power/cellular outage.
Compass
Compasses have been used for centuries and won’t steer you wrong (literally). Pack a magnetic compass for reliable navigation and to help you reach a safe destination.
Maps
Whether you’re facing an emergency in a city or the countryside, a map will help you navigate, even if you encounter obstacles, road closures, or other blockages along the way. When you pair a map with a compass, you’ll have a reliable system of getting around even when all your other resources are out of commission.
Communication
Communication is another area where your formerly reliable equipment is no longer available. Instead of calling or emailing for help, you’ll need to revert to more classic means of communication.
Radio and Batteries
A radio can become a lifeline in these scenarios. Pack a hand-crank or battery-powered radio (plus extra batteries) to listen for weather, evacuation routes, and more disaster updates.
Notebook and Pencils
Carry waterproof writing materials to record important information or leave messages as needed.
Signal Mirror
A signal mirror will help you communicate that you need help in a bad situation.
Other Basics
There are a few other basics you don’t want to escape without.
Durable Bag
Everything you pack must be kept safely within a durable bag. This bag should be waterproof and capable of carrying the weight packed inside it. Ensure it’s comfortable enough to carry for many hours over long distances.
Cash
Credit cards won’t do you much good in an emergency, so pack various small denominations of cash for emergency purchases or bartering.
Vital Documents
Make copies of your important documents, like IDs and licenses, birth certificates, social security cards, insurance policies, bank information, and more.
Power Supply
If you’re willing to add the weight, a power supply can keep your essential devices charged during trying times. You’ll need something compact yet still powerful, so look into the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Series or RIVER 2 portable power stations, such as the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro or EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max.
If you want something that can continue to generate and store more power even after the first battery charge is depleted, consider adding solar panels to create the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max +160W Solar Panel.
Multi-Tool
Pack a quality multi-tool to reduce the number of individual tools needed.
Weapons and Ammunition
If you’re properly trained and familiar with weapons, add any appropriate personal protection items to your pack.
Flashlight and Batteries
Bring a bright flashlight with extra batteries so you can see at night.
Frequently Asked Questions
Focus on the core priorities for survival: water, shelter, food, first aid, and essential tools. These items will address your immediate survival needs during the first 72 hours of an emergency when you must leave home and find safety.
The best food for a bug-out bag is nutrient- and calorie-dense food such as protein bars, dried meat, dried fruit, and nuts. You can also pack supplies to hunt or forage your own food, like a fishing kit or hunting weapons and ammunition.
When electronic payment systems like credit and debit cards are unavailable, try to carry around $500-1000 in small bills to make vital emergency purchases. You won’t need more than that, as these bags are designed to get you through the first 72 hours of an emergency.
There’s no real difference between a bug out bag and a go bag. Both are emergency survival kits meant to be previously packed and ready to go when needed, providing supplies to get you through the first few days of a disaster.
Final Thoughts
If you worry about the possibility of natural disasters or emergencies, having a bug out bag packed and ready to go can help quell anxiety and ensure you’re prepared if you need to get out quickly and find safety. This should be a lightweight bag filled with essentials, from food and water supplies to a first aid kit and power solution such as the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max.
Put the time and effort into building your bug-out bag now and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re ready if disaster strikes.