Julie
02-18-2008, 08:01 PM
As I watch the natural disasters happening, I am more convinced that if we prepare ahead of time we would be so much better off. This is a list that I compiled several years ago. - Julie
It doesn't matter what the reason; fire, flood, armed insurrection or alien invasion. If you had five minutes to "get out of Dodge", what would you grab? Or would you be paralyzed trying to figure out what you needed as they dragged you out the door? The solution is to prepare a bug-out bag before the need arises.
A bug-out bag is a pre-packed kit (minus the food and water) that you can grab on your way out the door in the event of an emergency. It is basically a small self-contained survival kit. Ideally the contents would allow you to leave the area and travel in relative health if the situation demanded. It is assumed that you will be dressed properly before you leave depending on your climate and weather conditions. Don't forget to pack the food inside before you leave.
Stored in a black nylon day pack - Approximate weight 20 pounds
Food
6 Granola Bars (2.5 oz each)
16 oz. Beef Jerky
32 oz. Water in plastic bottle
Clothing
3 Pairs Spare Socks
3 Pairs Underwear
Short Pants
3 T-Shirts
2 Bandanas
Nylon Rain Poncho
Space Blanket
Fire Tools
2 Butane Lighters
Waterproof Matches
Magnesium Firestarter
Small box of Birthday Candles
2 Votive Candles
Utensils
Stainless Steel 16 oz. Cup
Stainless Steel Fork-Knife-Spoon set
Hunting Knife
Small Sharpening Stone
Water Filter
Water Purification Tablets
Tools
Mini-Mag Flashlight with 2 spare batteries
Compass
Leatherman (or other multi-purpose tool)
Maps (local & regional)
100 feet Nylon Parachute Cord
10 feet bailing wire
12 assorted Zip Ties
Hacksaw Blade (wrap end in duct tape for handle)
Fishing Kit (inside a 35mm Film Can)
50 feet 20 lb. Fishing Line
12 Long-Shank Fish Hooks
2 Scented Rubber Worms
12 Split Sinkers
Medical Kit
Prescription Glass
Sunglasses (or clip-ons)
Misc. Adhesive Bandages
Ace-style Bandage
Antibiotic Ointment
Waterless Hand Sterilizer
Aspirin / Ibuprofen
Iodine
Alcohol Wipes
Needle & Thread
Toilet Kit
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Dental Floss
Comb
Soap
Nail Clippers
2 Disposable Razors
Documents (copies - keep originals in a safe place)
Driver's License
Passport
Vehicle Titles & Registration
Insurance Papers (Home, Vehicle, & Health)
Social Security Cards
Photos of Household Inventory
Medical Records / Immunizations
Prescriptions
Deeds
Birth / Marriage / Death Certificates
Divorce Papers
Bank / Credit Card Account Numbers
Address Book
Will
Miscellaneous
$50.00 Cash (2 tens, 4 fives, 10 singles)
$10.00 Small Change
12 Assorted Plastic Bags (Ziploc)
Small AM/FM Radio & Extra Battery
Small .22 Rifle and Pistol
100 Rounds of .22 Ammo
Use various sizes of plastic bags to separate contents. Make sure you pack your bag so as not to allow rattles or other noise when carrying.
Pack one bag per family member. Certain items need not be duplicated (firearms, documents, medical supplies). For small children, be sure to include play items - small toys, coloring books & crayons, etc. For infants, add diapers, baby wipes, canned formula, etc.
The neat thing about a Bug Out Bag (BOB) is that it tends to almost become a hobby - refining and tweaking until it 's just right. I think that one of the most important parts of a BOB list is the Assumptions. You've got to make some basic assumptions about how it might be used and then go from there.
I also include in my list several "to do" lists so I'm less likely to forget something in the rush. In 1998, wildfires threatened to force an evacuation here, and I saw first hand how bad things can get when you don't have a check list to follow. (some of the "to do" lists are left off of this since they aren't relevant to most folks).
Following is my own list. This isn't a "wish list", this is how it's packed right now sitting in the closet or in the back of the 4x4, depending on where I am. (Some of the formatting got lost when copying it here, but each section has a heading)
Objectives and assumptions
1.Maintain a reasonable standard of living in good health and hygiene for 72 hours with no other resources while traveling on foot.
2.Individual supply of water (2 quarts) will need to be supplemented beyond 24 hours.
3.Assume a 15 minute warning
4.Vehicle transportation likely, but prepare for foot or bicycle travel
5.Kit is organized so that critical items are carried on the web belt, primary items are carried in the backpack, and secondary (backup, additional supplies, and less-essential) items are carried in a duffel bag stowed in a vehicle. If weight, vehicle abandonment, or other factors mean that something must be left behind, the critical items are still carried.
Individual web belt kit (Critical items)
Web belt with butt pack and accessories
Food, Water, and Fire
Canteen, 1 quart, Qty. 2, filled
MRE, Qty. 3
Matches
Magnesium fire starter
Candle, small tea candle with matches, Qty. 2
P-38 can opener
Hygiene and Safety
First aid kit, basic minimum
Toilet paper
KI tablets, Qty. 1 bottle, 14 ea.
Clothing and Shelter
Poncho, OD vinyl
Socks, 2 pair
Bandana
Camouflage net
Mosquito head net
Tools and Misc.
Compass
550 parachute cord
Flashlight, Sure-Fire 6P
Utility knife
Whistle
Normal carry items
Pocket knife
Photon Micro-light on key ring
Gerber Covert folding lock-blade
S&W 640 (.357 mag.) with 5 rounds
15 spare rounds of ammo in speed loaders
CCW permit
Individual kit, standard pack (Primary items)
Backpack
Food, Water, and Fire
MRE, Qty. 6
Water purifier
Water bag (for gathering water for purifier)
Aluminum pot with lid
P-38 can opener
Small "tea candle", Qty. 2
Matches, waterproof and book
Magnesium fire starter
Trioxane stove with 3 fuel bars
Hygiene and Safety
Toilet paper
Soap
Wash cloth
Towel
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Deodorant
Comb
First aid kit, basic minimum
Clothing and Shelter
Leather work gloves
Insect netting
Bandanas, 1 red, 1 blue
Scarf, brown, 6'
Change of underwear
Sleeping mat
Tarp, OD aluminized plastic
Hammock, net
Tools and Misc.
Compass
Note pad
Pencil
Earplugs
Insect repellant
Sewing kit
550 parachute cord
Cable ties, Qty. 3
Marker ribbon
Bible, pocket-size
Individual Kit, (Pack on warning)
Change of underwear
Appropriate clothing worn, including hat, sturdy shoes or boots
Sleeping bag or blanket appropriate to season (Strap to backpack)
Change of clothing appropriate to situation (roll up in sleeping bag)
Cash, ID, etc. (deep concealment plus decoy wallet)
List of phone numbers and email addresses
Pocket knife
Buck Tool (worn on belt)
Pocket-sized binoculars (inside backpack or in vest pocket)
Folding knife (Gerber Covert)
Vest, multi-pocket
FRS radios (2) with holsters and ear phones
FRS radio kit (2 sets of AA batteries and accessories for each radio)
Sure-Fire flashlight
Duffel bag kit (Secondary items, pre-packed)
Mess kit
Fork, spoon, and cup
Large heavy gauge trash bags, Qty. 2
Caffeine pills, Extra-Strength Excedrin, Benadryl, Excedrin PM
Toilet paper, Qty. 2 rolls
Duffel bag kit (Secondary items, pack on warning)
Snacks, trail mix
Powdered drink mix
Radio, 2 meter HT with 12VDC charger, spare battery, and collapsible antenna
Maps (in vehicle)
Vehicle Kit (Pack on warning)
Water containers, 6-gallon, filled, as many as possible
Box(es) of MREs
First aid kit, complete (kept in vehicle)
Normal vehicle kit (maps, tools, tow strap, jumper cables, rope, shovel, etc.)
Antenna, magnetic-mount, 2 meter with adapter for HT
Optional Items as conditions warrant
Sidearm(s) and ammo (deep concealment)
Radiological kit
15 Minute Warning List
Fill canteens
Drink fill of water
Add "Pack on warning" items
Load vehicle
Top off fuel tank with storage fuel.
Set dosimeters to zero if situation warrants
Extended Warning List
Data files backup CD in safe (or seal and bury)
Eat full meal
Grab any fresh food to eat immediately
Grab disposable water bottle(s) from freezer
Add bicycle with carrier (check tire pressure)
You have hit on one of my favorite subjects. If I sound like I am bragging, I AM! Because I am proud of what I have accomplished with my BOB...It's a lot of work, but it is fun as hell and I love reading what other people have in their BOB's. I get good ideas and good suggestions. I went through mine again and in no particular order, let me tell you what I have in it.....(If you have any comments, let me know..I may be proud of it, but if I can improve it, all the better)
MEDIUM ALICE PACK
Surgical Kit
Flask of "Jack" (Multi-purpose)
First Aid Kit
Water Filtration Kit
Extra Filter
Socks x2
Balaclava
Compass
Sewing Kit
Bandana, OD, Cotton x4
USGI Mess Kit
Arctic Face Mask (I live in Az, but you never know)
Undies x2
MRE Condiments and snacks
USGI Foot Powder
Combat Boots
MRE Sides x3
MRE Entree's x3
Cyalume Light Sticks x6
Space Blanket
Hexamine Heat Tabs x5 Tubes
Kleenex
TP
Hotel size shampoo
Matches
Hook Sharpener (Sharpens knives also)
Ear Plugs
Few Sheets Paper Towels
Combo Bug Repellant/SPF 30 Lotion
Fishing Kit
Condom's (Multi-Purpose...Water collection, cover rifle barrel, etc)
Bar of Hotel Soap
Tube of Orajel (Multi-Purpose)
Rubber Gloves
P38 Can Opener x2
BDU Pants
T-Shirts x2
WEB GEAR
1 Quart Canteen x2
Magazine Pouch (3 mags of .223) (Bandoleer over chest)
Magazine Pouch (2 mags of .40)
Glock Model 22
Compass and Compress(On suspenders)
Small Angle Flashlight (On suspenders)
Kabar (On suspenders)
Small Binoculars
USGI Camo Poncho
50 Rounds .40
20 Rounds .223 API
Bug/Sun Lotion
MRE Condiments/Snacks
Fishing Kit
Condoms
Whistle
Tooth Paste/Brush
Magnesium Fire Starter
Iodine
Nail Clippers
P38
Trash Bags
Cyalume Light Sticks x6
TP
Bandana, OD, Cotton
Socks x3
Gloves
Ear plugs
25' 550 Cord
Small Snare
Large Snare
Gerber Multi-Tool
Small Civilian Poncho
Boonie Hat
Gun Oil
Space Blanket
Roll Elec Tape
Camo Face Paint
Weapon Cleaning Kit
Pre Soaked Cleaning Patches
1st Aid Kit
MRE Entree's x3
$10 in 90% Silver US Coins
Small Bible
Pen/Pad
Topo Map
This sounds like a lot of stuff, but most of it is compact and it all fits with room to spare except in my buttpack on my web belt..It's pretty full....I can always accessorize as needed as well. (ie: Comm gear or I have an NBC Bag filled with Gas Mask, decon kit, chem paper, etc) that can be tucked under my ALICE Pack. I will also be adding M8HC or M18 smokers to my suspenders on my way out the door too..I just keep them in my safe right now....I also have PASGT Helmet and Vest...Mucho gear..Especially if you have to tote it in 110' weather here in Az along with a rifle...This is why much of the gear in my ALICE pack is doubled in my buttpack so I can dump the ALICE if needed......All the important stuff is in my buttpack. I thought about trading out the MRE's for Freeze Dried food, but Freeze Dried, although lighter, takes up more room than MRE's. All our vehicles have 72 hour kits as well with various stuff in them..Maybe we'll get onto that subject some time too.... So, how fanatical are ya'll? How many different patterns of BDU's do you have? How many different web belts and packs do you have for various operations/situations?Thanks for sharing. I look forward to hearing more....Like Stephen said, it's a never ending hobby....I have a WHOLE lot of fun at it too!
Stephen, I really like you approach to planning. I am going to borrow your thinking. Thank you for helping me along there buddy. We have to assume some assumptions, but also, assume there are things you will be totally wrong about. That means, develop mental insurgency, get the mind set and overcome. Probably any event that will move us out will last longer than we expect. Be over prepared.
Take a Red Cross class on how to manage mass evacuwation facilities. You will then know how the system works and how to stay on top of it for your benefit. Also there are items that you cannot take into a mass evacuwation center. Weapons, pets and alcohol.
I have traveled and lived out of a pack for seveal weeks at a time in West Africa.This was during my Peace Corps service in Niger. It is like bugging out. You do not leave in an emergency, but you pack like your are going to be living in one each day. West Africa has absolutely no stores like America. There is no certainty that you will be able to find clean water. All water their is contaminated. You drink lots of commercial bottled bier (that's French for beer), soda or bottled water when available. There are along the main roads what are called 'Anasara' stores. That means white man store. The local natives usually just cannot afford the prices. But don't count on them. You must be prepared to be self sufficient.
Here is what I have learned about living out of a pack based on my experience.
A day pack is too small. Medium or larger military Alice pack is better. But a pack with a frame is needed. Carry more food than most of you are showing on the lists. Substitute brimmed hats for bandanas. Put a liner in your military poncho. It is essential to have a heavy plastic ground cloth. Carry enough to double its thickness under you. Keep off the dirt it contains biological contaminates. Keep your clothes clean. Dirty people look vulnerable. Carry a 5'X8' or if you can a 10'X12' plastic tarp for protection from the elements. Blowing dirt and sand will make your kit much less usable. You do not have time to clean it all out. Get one of those new firestarters that work in 80 MPH winds. The Harmaton Winds blow in West Africa for 3 months without letup day and night. And they are filled with dust like powered flour. Carry big candles. Or make one by using a Tuna can filled with melted parafin. When it begins to solidify place 4 birthday candles cut to a length so the wick just protrudes above the parafin. One of these will burn for 30++ hours. I have experimented with them. Cheap to make also. We NEVER used water purification tablets in the Peace Corps where I was working. They are not effective if aged and usually do not contian enough chemical to be safe. The water in West Africa contained critters, pathogens, and parasites that would make you sick to death. I saw the results of sloppy water purification in other Peace Corps cohorts. That will make you take the time to do it right and carry the proper stuff. A good water purifier with extra filter and brush for cleaning is a necessity. Carry chlorox it works good. Get a LED flashlight or one that is bright and lasts long. Extra batteries. But most of important, practice dark living. Get in a room that is absolutely dark. Place your pack on the floor. Name an item. Then find it in the dark. Retrieve it. Then repack it. You must be able to function in the dark. You must set up your night kit so you can pack and move in no more than seveal minutes without lights. Lights are for EMERGENCY USE ONLY. Never turn the light on at night. If you are in a Red Cross Shelter, thats OK. But out on you own in the countryside. NO LIGHT, no fires after sundown. If you have a fire before sundown, move the camp at dusk to another secure place. Carry a stainless backpacker cooking unit. I have cooked supper over charcoal in the street of a town while the whole world walked by. I found two knives handy. A big 10 inch blade and a small folding two blade. But I also carried a 18" machette as much for its protection value as its utility. Get a shorter one, 12" or 14" it will fit into a pack. Carry two compasses. It is the one thing you need redundancy in. If not a Leatherman, then at least pliers or visegrips. Use a wire that is maleable. Get a roll of soft iron wire. You can bend it into any shape practically by hand. Baling wire is much less maleable. The other item you need two of are your sunglasses. Once the eyes go, you are vulnerable. Do not carry a razor. The temtation to shave out of the local stream will allow untreated water in contact with your face you have just scraped with a sharp instrument. Little cuts and nicks you cannot see are gateways for pathogens and parasites. You do not carry enough water to have extra to shave with. If you are going to the Red Cross shelter, OK.
A lot more money, perhaps $1000. You may need bribe money. Up front money. A small amount will put you at the end of the line. In 1972 during extremely volatile weather inside the Grand Canyon. Part of a group rafting the Colorado River decided to walk out to the South Rim. They came up to Cottonwood Camp on the first inner shelf. It was late in the day and they had not brought anything with them. They were stupid ignorant people from the city. Not even water bottles. At this point they were barely 1/2 way out. A man approached us in the shelter where we were eating. We were also on the way out and had 2.5 full days of extra rations. He pulled out of his pocket a roll of 20 dollar bills about 3 inches across and began unrolling them. He says, I'll buy your food, meaning the food we were eating; I said "NO"; my friends said we have extra; he says I will buy it; I said "NO." Now I could have accomodated him easily but his manner was snobbish, boorish and overbearing. This fudpucker was used to buying anything he pleased and making money talk. Money was a substitute for manners. Besides, how often to you have the opportunity to make a person like this eat crow? Money is not always the answer, but it CAN open doors and keep you in better health. I carry no change. I carry a credit card for AT&T and my bank card. If you are going to carry weapons go .223 or 30 caliber for a serious rifle. I am not picky about a pistol, but I carry 9mm or 45. Cleaning kit for the weapons is necessary to keep them functional. Carry extra water bottles or bladders so when you find water you can store it. A pair of binoculars extend your eyes and worth the weight. A pair of two way radios. A wool blanket for each person rolled in the tarp. A stocking cap for sure. You can lose 90% of your body heat through your head. Suncreen and personal medication. A necessity in my kit is a pair of leather gloves. Any damage to hands, no manner how minor is major trouble if an infection sets in. Include a bicycle with panniers on the back, an ATV or motorcycle.
We maintain two vehicles, a two wheeled trailer and a double axle low boy 14' long trailer. Most of our equipment is boxed in wooden storage boxes so it can be moved onto the trailers. So to the bicycles and the ATV, 55 gallon water barrels and such. We are developing a plan for motorized bug out, ATV bug out, bicycle bug out and by foot bug out.
I gotta bug out for supper now. Hope this information is of value to someone.
Realities of Being a Survivalist
(Getting Past the "Bug Out" Mentality)
Written by Benjamin T. Moore
Originally posted to the Misc.Survivalism newsgroup
Those of us who've figured things out to various and lessor degrees, realize the need to prepare for a time in the not to distant future when the society we've become accustomed to will no longer be functional. Let's pause a moment and savor the meaning of what I just said. Some people who have not really paused to consider the true ramifications of a societal collapse, look forward to these times with an almost naive glee. Visions of "Red Dawn," fire fights with well armed but incompetent troops, camping out and feasting on venison seem to figure heavily in these ill conceived fantasies.
Let's explore some of these myths. Anyone who has spent anytime in the bush or in actual combat knows that running and gunning is the option of *LAST* resort!!! When things get down to running and gunning your prospects for long term survival have just become tragically thin. Even elite forces such as the Navy Seals, try to avoid "running and gunning." They operate from a base. They are inserted, do their jobs and are extracted back to the safety of their base. In the scenario so often fantasized, it would be like being permanently behind enemy lines with no support, no hope of extraction and no supplies. Could you survive? Some could, but they are few and far between. Even they could not survive for long.
Let's explore the notion of living off the land. The reality is, there isn't enough game except in a few places out west, to support a group of any size for any length of time. By the way, you've got to figure you're not going to be the *ONLY* person or group out there fighting for the limited resources. Small game? How many rabbits will you have to kill to feed your self per day? Per week? How about your family? You're going to run out of rabbits pretty quick in whatever area you happen to be in. Fishing? That's a good plan if you're near a body of water. But again, you're not going to be the only one with that idea. Suppose you have a good day and harvest a deer, or twenty or thirty fish, how are you going to preserve the meat? You probably aren't going to be lugging around a refrigerator or a freezer.
What about items you take for granted, like toilette paper? How much are you going to carry with you on a bug-out? There are many things to consider. The closest description of the bug-out experience is the Mountain Man life style. However, it's important to note, even the "Mountain Men" had to come back to society for supplies every so often.
When you begin to consider all the ramifications of "bugging-out," the magnitude of what you're attempting begins to become clear. Of course all this becomes a moot point if you become stuck in a traffic jam trying to leave the city, or if you get rounded up at an unexpected road block. A simple rule for survival in these circumstances is, look at what everybody else is doing, and don't do it!
Let's be smart. The best place to be at in a survival situation is your home. Your home should be your survival retreat! If it's not, make it into your survival retreat.
If it's not suitably located, buy one or build one that is. Even a well conceived and located apartment or condominum can become a survival retreat with some work and planning.
The two most powerful assets you can have are storage and concealment. If you want to understand survival, study the masters. The animal kingdom is without exception the best place to learn survival. Almost all animals, as a first line of defense use concealment or camouflage. Even predators such as tigers, cheetahs and lepoards use camouflage to assist in their survival. How can we profit from this strategy? The most important thing we can do as survivalist is to *NOT* draw attention to ourselves. A friend of mine once suggested we join an "intentional" community of like minded people and live in a rural communal setting. Visions of Waco and Ruby Ridge immediately sprang into my mind. I told this friend I'd rather live next door to the Governor. The likelihood of them taking tanks through the Governor's yard to get to me would be extremely slim. Not to mention being able to keep the News Media five miles away! In essence, "bugging-out" is like leaving the safety of the herd. If you've ever seen predators hunt animals in the wild, the first thing they do is cut them off from the protection of the herd. Then they descend on them and rip them to pieces, while the rest of the herd looks on grateful that it's not them being ripped to pieces. Do you see the anology between Waco and Ruby Ridge?
These were people who were cut off from the herd by the government predators and savaged. The rest of society has gone back to grazing, thanking their god it wasn't them.
They've even gone so far as to justify what happened by saying these people were extremist. This is very much like what happens in the animal kingdom. Only the sickly and diseased fall prey to the lion. Hence, if people are attacked by our government... they must be politically sick. But enough of this. It is not my intent to give you my political exigesis.
Being a Survivalist is a way of life! It's not just storing away supplies for a rainy day. I'm intrigued by people who spend thousands of dollars on camping equipment, semi-automatic rifles and hand guns, and who don't spend money where it counts. Let me give you some examples. Are you physically fit? How many miles can you run? How many miles can you run with a full pack on your back? Take an honest assessment of your self. Would you feel safe as the cruise ship pulled away from the dock knowing you had brought along your scuba tank, mask and fins, but had never had a swimming lesson and couldnt swim? If so, you'd better check the ship you're sailing on... It might be the Titanic.
The other thing that fascinates me, is the number of arm chair survivalist that spend great time carefully assembling a firearms battery, but don't take the time to become truly proficient with the firearms of their choice.
Too many times we trade the illusion of security for reality. The reality is, everything is governed by chance and probability. Our goal should be to turn a low probability of survival into a high probability of survival. I can only shake my head in disbelief at those who spend hundreds of dollars on the finest handgun they can afford - as well they should, how much is your life worth - but then spend $9.95 on a little suede inside the pants holster for it. That holster will most likely get you killed! I practice quick drawing each of my primary pieces at least 100 times per day. I go to the range regularly. I practice quick draw with carry ammunition, that's the ammo I carry for survival and defense at 100 yards. I can draw, fire and *keep* all shots in the kill zone at 100 yards quicker than most of the hollywood enhanced draws you see in the movies.
Does this make me the baddest thing walking? Nope! Because nobody's shooting back! What it does is increase the probability of my chances for survival against someone who's got their nice, shiney, new-in-the-box looking pistol in a 9.95 brown suede inside the pants holster. I'm not worried about the chap who carries an almost new looking pistol in a holster that looks like he just took it out of the plastic. I'm worried about that chap who's pistol has the fine patina of holster wear, the chap who's pistol is scratched and worn. To me he's a far more dangerous foe.
It's been said and it's true, beware the man that owns one gun... and shoots it!
Being a survivalist is a way of life. Is your home hardened? Is it stocked and supplied? Are you constantly thinking of ways to manufacture more of the things you go to the store and purchase? If your mate doesn't sew, do you? Could you make a serviceable out fit out of cloth or fabric? Or will you be reduced to foraging for garments if TEOTWAWKI comes in our life time? It certainly looks like it's just around the corner... Being able to "Bug-Out" is good, but it should never become your primary survival strategy!
If you don't have a hardened place to "Bug-Out" to, you're probably wasteing your time. Your best bet is to harden your home. Don't blow your cover by bragging about your supplies, in fact be extremely cautious about who you allow into your home. If things blow up, you don't want someone who's seen and noted your food stores, showing up on your door step with their family asking to share what you've set aside through your hard labor and sacrifice. The best neighbors are those that mind their own business. Mind yours and insist they mind theirs. You want to develop a support network of people who not only believe the way you do... but who believe strongly enough to act on their beliefs. In a survival situation everyone must pull their own weight.
Benjamin T. Moore, Jr. (Jian #BlackTech IRC Chat - Efnet)
It doesn't matter what the reason; fire, flood, armed insurrection or alien invasion. If you had five minutes to "get out of Dodge", what would you grab? Or would you be paralyzed trying to figure out what you needed as they dragged you out the door? The solution is to prepare a bug-out bag before the need arises.
A bug-out bag is a pre-packed kit (minus the food and water) that you can grab on your way out the door in the event of an emergency. It is basically a small self-contained survival kit. Ideally the contents would allow you to leave the area and travel in relative health if the situation demanded. It is assumed that you will be dressed properly before you leave depending on your climate and weather conditions. Don't forget to pack the food inside before you leave.
Stored in a black nylon day pack - Approximate weight 20 pounds
Food
6 Granola Bars (2.5 oz each)
16 oz. Beef Jerky
32 oz. Water in plastic bottle
Clothing
3 Pairs Spare Socks
3 Pairs Underwear
Short Pants
3 T-Shirts
2 Bandanas
Nylon Rain Poncho
Space Blanket
Fire Tools
2 Butane Lighters
Waterproof Matches
Magnesium Firestarter
Small box of Birthday Candles
2 Votive Candles
Utensils
Stainless Steel 16 oz. Cup
Stainless Steel Fork-Knife-Spoon set
Hunting Knife
Small Sharpening Stone
Water Filter
Water Purification Tablets
Tools
Mini-Mag Flashlight with 2 spare batteries
Compass
Leatherman (or other multi-purpose tool)
Maps (local & regional)
100 feet Nylon Parachute Cord
10 feet bailing wire
12 assorted Zip Ties
Hacksaw Blade (wrap end in duct tape for handle)
Fishing Kit (inside a 35mm Film Can)
50 feet 20 lb. Fishing Line
12 Long-Shank Fish Hooks
2 Scented Rubber Worms
12 Split Sinkers
Medical Kit
Prescription Glass
Sunglasses (or clip-ons)
Misc. Adhesive Bandages
Ace-style Bandage
Antibiotic Ointment
Waterless Hand Sterilizer
Aspirin / Ibuprofen
Iodine
Alcohol Wipes
Needle & Thread
Toilet Kit
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Dental Floss
Comb
Soap
Nail Clippers
2 Disposable Razors
Documents (copies - keep originals in a safe place)
Driver's License
Passport
Vehicle Titles & Registration
Insurance Papers (Home, Vehicle, & Health)
Social Security Cards
Photos of Household Inventory
Medical Records / Immunizations
Prescriptions
Deeds
Birth / Marriage / Death Certificates
Divorce Papers
Bank / Credit Card Account Numbers
Address Book
Will
Miscellaneous
$50.00 Cash (2 tens, 4 fives, 10 singles)
$10.00 Small Change
12 Assorted Plastic Bags (Ziploc)
Small AM/FM Radio & Extra Battery
Small .22 Rifle and Pistol
100 Rounds of .22 Ammo
Use various sizes of plastic bags to separate contents. Make sure you pack your bag so as not to allow rattles or other noise when carrying.
Pack one bag per family member. Certain items need not be duplicated (firearms, documents, medical supplies). For small children, be sure to include play items - small toys, coloring books & crayons, etc. For infants, add diapers, baby wipes, canned formula, etc.
The neat thing about a Bug Out Bag (BOB) is that it tends to almost become a hobby - refining and tweaking until it 's just right. I think that one of the most important parts of a BOB list is the Assumptions. You've got to make some basic assumptions about how it might be used and then go from there.
I also include in my list several "to do" lists so I'm less likely to forget something in the rush. In 1998, wildfires threatened to force an evacuation here, and I saw first hand how bad things can get when you don't have a check list to follow. (some of the "to do" lists are left off of this since they aren't relevant to most folks).
Following is my own list. This isn't a "wish list", this is how it's packed right now sitting in the closet or in the back of the 4x4, depending on where I am. (Some of the formatting got lost when copying it here, but each section has a heading)
Objectives and assumptions
1.Maintain a reasonable standard of living in good health and hygiene for 72 hours with no other resources while traveling on foot.
2.Individual supply of water (2 quarts) will need to be supplemented beyond 24 hours.
3.Assume a 15 minute warning
4.Vehicle transportation likely, but prepare for foot or bicycle travel
5.Kit is organized so that critical items are carried on the web belt, primary items are carried in the backpack, and secondary (backup, additional supplies, and less-essential) items are carried in a duffel bag stowed in a vehicle. If weight, vehicle abandonment, or other factors mean that something must be left behind, the critical items are still carried.
Individual web belt kit (Critical items)
Web belt with butt pack and accessories
Food, Water, and Fire
Canteen, 1 quart, Qty. 2, filled
MRE, Qty. 3
Matches
Magnesium fire starter
Candle, small tea candle with matches, Qty. 2
P-38 can opener
Hygiene and Safety
First aid kit, basic minimum
Toilet paper
KI tablets, Qty. 1 bottle, 14 ea.
Clothing and Shelter
Poncho, OD vinyl
Socks, 2 pair
Bandana
Camouflage net
Mosquito head net
Tools and Misc.
Compass
550 parachute cord
Flashlight, Sure-Fire 6P
Utility knife
Whistle
Normal carry items
Pocket knife
Photon Micro-light on key ring
Gerber Covert folding lock-blade
S&W 640 (.357 mag.) with 5 rounds
15 spare rounds of ammo in speed loaders
CCW permit
Individual kit, standard pack (Primary items)
Backpack
Food, Water, and Fire
MRE, Qty. 6
Water purifier
Water bag (for gathering water for purifier)
Aluminum pot with lid
P-38 can opener
Small "tea candle", Qty. 2
Matches, waterproof and book
Magnesium fire starter
Trioxane stove with 3 fuel bars
Hygiene and Safety
Toilet paper
Soap
Wash cloth
Towel
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Deodorant
Comb
First aid kit, basic minimum
Clothing and Shelter
Leather work gloves
Insect netting
Bandanas, 1 red, 1 blue
Scarf, brown, 6'
Change of underwear
Sleeping mat
Tarp, OD aluminized plastic
Hammock, net
Tools and Misc.
Compass
Note pad
Pencil
Earplugs
Insect repellant
Sewing kit
550 parachute cord
Cable ties, Qty. 3
Marker ribbon
Bible, pocket-size
Individual Kit, (Pack on warning)
Change of underwear
Appropriate clothing worn, including hat, sturdy shoes or boots
Sleeping bag or blanket appropriate to season (Strap to backpack)
Change of clothing appropriate to situation (roll up in sleeping bag)
Cash, ID, etc. (deep concealment plus decoy wallet)
List of phone numbers and email addresses
Pocket knife
Buck Tool (worn on belt)
Pocket-sized binoculars (inside backpack or in vest pocket)
Folding knife (Gerber Covert)
Vest, multi-pocket
FRS radios (2) with holsters and ear phones
FRS radio kit (2 sets of AA batteries and accessories for each radio)
Sure-Fire flashlight
Duffel bag kit (Secondary items, pre-packed)
Mess kit
Fork, spoon, and cup
Large heavy gauge trash bags, Qty. 2
Caffeine pills, Extra-Strength Excedrin, Benadryl, Excedrin PM
Toilet paper, Qty. 2 rolls
Duffel bag kit (Secondary items, pack on warning)
Snacks, trail mix
Powdered drink mix
Radio, 2 meter HT with 12VDC charger, spare battery, and collapsible antenna
Maps (in vehicle)
Vehicle Kit (Pack on warning)
Water containers, 6-gallon, filled, as many as possible
Box(es) of MREs
First aid kit, complete (kept in vehicle)
Normal vehicle kit (maps, tools, tow strap, jumper cables, rope, shovel, etc.)
Antenna, magnetic-mount, 2 meter with adapter for HT
Optional Items as conditions warrant
Sidearm(s) and ammo (deep concealment)
Radiological kit
15 Minute Warning List
Fill canteens
Drink fill of water
Add "Pack on warning" items
Load vehicle
Top off fuel tank with storage fuel.
Set dosimeters to zero if situation warrants
Extended Warning List
Data files backup CD in safe (or seal and bury)
Eat full meal
Grab any fresh food to eat immediately
Grab disposable water bottle(s) from freezer
Add bicycle with carrier (check tire pressure)
You have hit on one of my favorite subjects. If I sound like I am bragging, I AM! Because I am proud of what I have accomplished with my BOB...It's a lot of work, but it is fun as hell and I love reading what other people have in their BOB's. I get good ideas and good suggestions. I went through mine again and in no particular order, let me tell you what I have in it.....(If you have any comments, let me know..I may be proud of it, but if I can improve it, all the better)
MEDIUM ALICE PACK
Surgical Kit
Flask of "Jack" (Multi-purpose)
First Aid Kit
Water Filtration Kit
Extra Filter
Socks x2
Balaclava
Compass
Sewing Kit
Bandana, OD, Cotton x4
USGI Mess Kit
Arctic Face Mask (I live in Az, but you never know)
Undies x2
MRE Condiments and snacks
USGI Foot Powder
Combat Boots
MRE Sides x3
MRE Entree's x3
Cyalume Light Sticks x6
Space Blanket
Hexamine Heat Tabs x5 Tubes
Kleenex
TP
Hotel size shampoo
Matches
Hook Sharpener (Sharpens knives also)
Ear Plugs
Few Sheets Paper Towels
Combo Bug Repellant/SPF 30 Lotion
Fishing Kit
Condom's (Multi-Purpose...Water collection, cover rifle barrel, etc)
Bar of Hotel Soap
Tube of Orajel (Multi-Purpose)
Rubber Gloves
P38 Can Opener x2
BDU Pants
T-Shirts x2
WEB GEAR
1 Quart Canteen x2
Magazine Pouch (3 mags of .223) (Bandoleer over chest)
Magazine Pouch (2 mags of .40)
Glock Model 22
Compass and Compress(On suspenders)
Small Angle Flashlight (On suspenders)
Kabar (On suspenders)
Small Binoculars
USGI Camo Poncho
50 Rounds .40
20 Rounds .223 API
Bug/Sun Lotion
MRE Condiments/Snacks
Fishing Kit
Condoms
Whistle
Tooth Paste/Brush
Magnesium Fire Starter
Iodine
Nail Clippers
P38
Trash Bags
Cyalume Light Sticks x6
TP
Bandana, OD, Cotton
Socks x3
Gloves
Ear plugs
25' 550 Cord
Small Snare
Large Snare
Gerber Multi-Tool
Small Civilian Poncho
Boonie Hat
Gun Oil
Space Blanket
Roll Elec Tape
Camo Face Paint
Weapon Cleaning Kit
Pre Soaked Cleaning Patches
1st Aid Kit
MRE Entree's x3
$10 in 90% Silver US Coins
Small Bible
Pen/Pad
Topo Map
This sounds like a lot of stuff, but most of it is compact and it all fits with room to spare except in my buttpack on my web belt..It's pretty full....I can always accessorize as needed as well. (ie: Comm gear or I have an NBC Bag filled with Gas Mask, decon kit, chem paper, etc) that can be tucked under my ALICE Pack. I will also be adding M8HC or M18 smokers to my suspenders on my way out the door too..I just keep them in my safe right now....I also have PASGT Helmet and Vest...Mucho gear..Especially if you have to tote it in 110' weather here in Az along with a rifle...This is why much of the gear in my ALICE pack is doubled in my buttpack so I can dump the ALICE if needed......All the important stuff is in my buttpack. I thought about trading out the MRE's for Freeze Dried food, but Freeze Dried, although lighter, takes up more room than MRE's. All our vehicles have 72 hour kits as well with various stuff in them..Maybe we'll get onto that subject some time too.... So, how fanatical are ya'll? How many different patterns of BDU's do you have? How many different web belts and packs do you have for various operations/situations?Thanks for sharing. I look forward to hearing more....Like Stephen said, it's a never ending hobby....I have a WHOLE lot of fun at it too!
Stephen, I really like you approach to planning. I am going to borrow your thinking. Thank you for helping me along there buddy. We have to assume some assumptions, but also, assume there are things you will be totally wrong about. That means, develop mental insurgency, get the mind set and overcome. Probably any event that will move us out will last longer than we expect. Be over prepared.
Take a Red Cross class on how to manage mass evacuwation facilities. You will then know how the system works and how to stay on top of it for your benefit. Also there are items that you cannot take into a mass evacuwation center. Weapons, pets and alcohol.
I have traveled and lived out of a pack for seveal weeks at a time in West Africa.This was during my Peace Corps service in Niger. It is like bugging out. You do not leave in an emergency, but you pack like your are going to be living in one each day. West Africa has absolutely no stores like America. There is no certainty that you will be able to find clean water. All water their is contaminated. You drink lots of commercial bottled bier (that's French for beer), soda or bottled water when available. There are along the main roads what are called 'Anasara' stores. That means white man store. The local natives usually just cannot afford the prices. But don't count on them. You must be prepared to be self sufficient.
Here is what I have learned about living out of a pack based on my experience.
A day pack is too small. Medium or larger military Alice pack is better. But a pack with a frame is needed. Carry more food than most of you are showing on the lists. Substitute brimmed hats for bandanas. Put a liner in your military poncho. It is essential to have a heavy plastic ground cloth. Carry enough to double its thickness under you. Keep off the dirt it contains biological contaminates. Keep your clothes clean. Dirty people look vulnerable. Carry a 5'X8' or if you can a 10'X12' plastic tarp for protection from the elements. Blowing dirt and sand will make your kit much less usable. You do not have time to clean it all out. Get one of those new firestarters that work in 80 MPH winds. The Harmaton Winds blow in West Africa for 3 months without letup day and night. And they are filled with dust like powered flour. Carry big candles. Or make one by using a Tuna can filled with melted parafin. When it begins to solidify place 4 birthday candles cut to a length so the wick just protrudes above the parafin. One of these will burn for 30++ hours. I have experimented with them. Cheap to make also. We NEVER used water purification tablets in the Peace Corps where I was working. They are not effective if aged and usually do not contian enough chemical to be safe. The water in West Africa contained critters, pathogens, and parasites that would make you sick to death. I saw the results of sloppy water purification in other Peace Corps cohorts. That will make you take the time to do it right and carry the proper stuff. A good water purifier with extra filter and brush for cleaning is a necessity. Carry chlorox it works good. Get a LED flashlight or one that is bright and lasts long. Extra batteries. But most of important, practice dark living. Get in a room that is absolutely dark. Place your pack on the floor. Name an item. Then find it in the dark. Retrieve it. Then repack it. You must be able to function in the dark. You must set up your night kit so you can pack and move in no more than seveal minutes without lights. Lights are for EMERGENCY USE ONLY. Never turn the light on at night. If you are in a Red Cross Shelter, thats OK. But out on you own in the countryside. NO LIGHT, no fires after sundown. If you have a fire before sundown, move the camp at dusk to another secure place. Carry a stainless backpacker cooking unit. I have cooked supper over charcoal in the street of a town while the whole world walked by. I found two knives handy. A big 10 inch blade and a small folding two blade. But I also carried a 18" machette as much for its protection value as its utility. Get a shorter one, 12" or 14" it will fit into a pack. Carry two compasses. It is the one thing you need redundancy in. If not a Leatherman, then at least pliers or visegrips. Use a wire that is maleable. Get a roll of soft iron wire. You can bend it into any shape practically by hand. Baling wire is much less maleable. The other item you need two of are your sunglasses. Once the eyes go, you are vulnerable. Do not carry a razor. The temtation to shave out of the local stream will allow untreated water in contact with your face you have just scraped with a sharp instrument. Little cuts and nicks you cannot see are gateways for pathogens and parasites. You do not carry enough water to have extra to shave with. If you are going to the Red Cross shelter, OK.
A lot more money, perhaps $1000. You may need bribe money. Up front money. A small amount will put you at the end of the line. In 1972 during extremely volatile weather inside the Grand Canyon. Part of a group rafting the Colorado River decided to walk out to the South Rim. They came up to Cottonwood Camp on the first inner shelf. It was late in the day and they had not brought anything with them. They were stupid ignorant people from the city. Not even water bottles. At this point they were barely 1/2 way out. A man approached us in the shelter where we were eating. We were also on the way out and had 2.5 full days of extra rations. He pulled out of his pocket a roll of 20 dollar bills about 3 inches across and began unrolling them. He says, I'll buy your food, meaning the food we were eating; I said "NO"; my friends said we have extra; he says I will buy it; I said "NO." Now I could have accomodated him easily but his manner was snobbish, boorish and overbearing. This fudpucker was used to buying anything he pleased and making money talk. Money was a substitute for manners. Besides, how often to you have the opportunity to make a person like this eat crow? Money is not always the answer, but it CAN open doors and keep you in better health. I carry no change. I carry a credit card for AT&T and my bank card. If you are going to carry weapons go .223 or 30 caliber for a serious rifle. I am not picky about a pistol, but I carry 9mm or 45. Cleaning kit for the weapons is necessary to keep them functional. Carry extra water bottles or bladders so when you find water you can store it. A pair of binoculars extend your eyes and worth the weight. A pair of two way radios. A wool blanket for each person rolled in the tarp. A stocking cap for sure. You can lose 90% of your body heat through your head. Suncreen and personal medication. A necessity in my kit is a pair of leather gloves. Any damage to hands, no manner how minor is major trouble if an infection sets in. Include a bicycle with panniers on the back, an ATV or motorcycle.
We maintain two vehicles, a two wheeled trailer and a double axle low boy 14' long trailer. Most of our equipment is boxed in wooden storage boxes so it can be moved onto the trailers. So to the bicycles and the ATV, 55 gallon water barrels and such. We are developing a plan for motorized bug out, ATV bug out, bicycle bug out and by foot bug out.
I gotta bug out for supper now. Hope this information is of value to someone.
Realities of Being a Survivalist
(Getting Past the "Bug Out" Mentality)
Written by Benjamin T. Moore
Originally posted to the Misc.Survivalism newsgroup
Those of us who've figured things out to various and lessor degrees, realize the need to prepare for a time in the not to distant future when the society we've become accustomed to will no longer be functional. Let's pause a moment and savor the meaning of what I just said. Some people who have not really paused to consider the true ramifications of a societal collapse, look forward to these times with an almost naive glee. Visions of "Red Dawn," fire fights with well armed but incompetent troops, camping out and feasting on venison seem to figure heavily in these ill conceived fantasies.
Let's explore some of these myths. Anyone who has spent anytime in the bush or in actual combat knows that running and gunning is the option of *LAST* resort!!! When things get down to running and gunning your prospects for long term survival have just become tragically thin. Even elite forces such as the Navy Seals, try to avoid "running and gunning." They operate from a base. They are inserted, do their jobs and are extracted back to the safety of their base. In the scenario so often fantasized, it would be like being permanently behind enemy lines with no support, no hope of extraction and no supplies. Could you survive? Some could, but they are few and far between. Even they could not survive for long.
Let's explore the notion of living off the land. The reality is, there isn't enough game except in a few places out west, to support a group of any size for any length of time. By the way, you've got to figure you're not going to be the *ONLY* person or group out there fighting for the limited resources. Small game? How many rabbits will you have to kill to feed your self per day? Per week? How about your family? You're going to run out of rabbits pretty quick in whatever area you happen to be in. Fishing? That's a good plan if you're near a body of water. But again, you're not going to be the only one with that idea. Suppose you have a good day and harvest a deer, or twenty or thirty fish, how are you going to preserve the meat? You probably aren't going to be lugging around a refrigerator or a freezer.
What about items you take for granted, like toilette paper? How much are you going to carry with you on a bug-out? There are many things to consider. The closest description of the bug-out experience is the Mountain Man life style. However, it's important to note, even the "Mountain Men" had to come back to society for supplies every so often.
When you begin to consider all the ramifications of "bugging-out," the magnitude of what you're attempting begins to become clear. Of course all this becomes a moot point if you become stuck in a traffic jam trying to leave the city, or if you get rounded up at an unexpected road block. A simple rule for survival in these circumstances is, look at what everybody else is doing, and don't do it!
Let's be smart. The best place to be at in a survival situation is your home. Your home should be your survival retreat! If it's not, make it into your survival retreat.
If it's not suitably located, buy one or build one that is. Even a well conceived and located apartment or condominum can become a survival retreat with some work and planning.
The two most powerful assets you can have are storage and concealment. If you want to understand survival, study the masters. The animal kingdom is without exception the best place to learn survival. Almost all animals, as a first line of defense use concealment or camouflage. Even predators such as tigers, cheetahs and lepoards use camouflage to assist in their survival. How can we profit from this strategy? The most important thing we can do as survivalist is to *NOT* draw attention to ourselves. A friend of mine once suggested we join an "intentional" community of like minded people and live in a rural communal setting. Visions of Waco and Ruby Ridge immediately sprang into my mind. I told this friend I'd rather live next door to the Governor. The likelihood of them taking tanks through the Governor's yard to get to me would be extremely slim. Not to mention being able to keep the News Media five miles away! In essence, "bugging-out" is like leaving the safety of the herd. If you've ever seen predators hunt animals in the wild, the first thing they do is cut them off from the protection of the herd. Then they descend on them and rip them to pieces, while the rest of the herd looks on grateful that it's not them being ripped to pieces. Do you see the anology between Waco and Ruby Ridge?
These were people who were cut off from the herd by the government predators and savaged. The rest of society has gone back to grazing, thanking their god it wasn't them.
They've even gone so far as to justify what happened by saying these people were extremist. This is very much like what happens in the animal kingdom. Only the sickly and diseased fall prey to the lion. Hence, if people are attacked by our government... they must be politically sick. But enough of this. It is not my intent to give you my political exigesis.
Being a Survivalist is a way of life! It's not just storing away supplies for a rainy day. I'm intrigued by people who spend thousands of dollars on camping equipment, semi-automatic rifles and hand guns, and who don't spend money where it counts. Let me give you some examples. Are you physically fit? How many miles can you run? How many miles can you run with a full pack on your back? Take an honest assessment of your self. Would you feel safe as the cruise ship pulled away from the dock knowing you had brought along your scuba tank, mask and fins, but had never had a swimming lesson and couldnt swim? If so, you'd better check the ship you're sailing on... It might be the Titanic.
The other thing that fascinates me, is the number of arm chair survivalist that spend great time carefully assembling a firearms battery, but don't take the time to become truly proficient with the firearms of their choice.
Too many times we trade the illusion of security for reality. The reality is, everything is governed by chance and probability. Our goal should be to turn a low probability of survival into a high probability of survival. I can only shake my head in disbelief at those who spend hundreds of dollars on the finest handgun they can afford - as well they should, how much is your life worth - but then spend $9.95 on a little suede inside the pants holster for it. That holster will most likely get you killed! I practice quick drawing each of my primary pieces at least 100 times per day. I go to the range regularly. I practice quick draw with carry ammunition, that's the ammo I carry for survival and defense at 100 yards. I can draw, fire and *keep* all shots in the kill zone at 100 yards quicker than most of the hollywood enhanced draws you see in the movies.
Does this make me the baddest thing walking? Nope! Because nobody's shooting back! What it does is increase the probability of my chances for survival against someone who's got their nice, shiney, new-in-the-box looking pistol in a 9.95 brown suede inside the pants holster. I'm not worried about the chap who carries an almost new looking pistol in a holster that looks like he just took it out of the plastic. I'm worried about that chap who's pistol has the fine patina of holster wear, the chap who's pistol is scratched and worn. To me he's a far more dangerous foe.
It's been said and it's true, beware the man that owns one gun... and shoots it!
Being a survivalist is a way of life. Is your home hardened? Is it stocked and supplied? Are you constantly thinking of ways to manufacture more of the things you go to the store and purchase? If your mate doesn't sew, do you? Could you make a serviceable out fit out of cloth or fabric? Or will you be reduced to foraging for garments if TEOTWAWKI comes in our life time? It certainly looks like it's just around the corner... Being able to "Bug-Out" is good, but it should never become your primary survival strategy!
If you don't have a hardened place to "Bug-Out" to, you're probably wasteing your time. Your best bet is to harden your home. Don't blow your cover by bragging about your supplies, in fact be extremely cautious about who you allow into your home. If things blow up, you don't want someone who's seen and noted your food stores, showing up on your door step with their family asking to share what you've set aside through your hard labor and sacrifice. The best neighbors are those that mind their own business. Mind yours and insist they mind theirs. You want to develop a support network of people who not only believe the way you do... but who believe strongly enough to act on their beliefs. In a survival situation everyone must pull their own weight.
Benjamin T. Moore, Jr. (Jian #BlackTech IRC Chat - Efnet)