| First you're probably wondering just what exactly a | | | | is to have your backpack burst into flames, especially |
| "Bug Out Bag" is. This is a military term used to | | | | if it's still on your back. |
| describe to gear a soldier keeps packed and ready at | | | | 6. Water Purification |
| all times. In the event that soldier needs to be rapidly | | | | In the post apocalypse chances are good that much |
| deployed the soldiers kit is pre packed and ready to | | | | of the fresh water will be contaminated. Also carrying |
| go. While this usually refers to all of a soldiers kit, you | | | | several days worth of water is heavy, noisy, and |
| only need one bag. This bag will contain only essential | | | | unpractical. To keep from becoming sick keep a few |
| items to keep you alive. | | | | bottles of water purification tablets with you and a |
| Depending on your location and the time of year will | | | | few clean bottles (Any type will work). Simply add a |
| determine what exactly you will have in your bug out | | | | couple tablets to your water and in about half an |
| bag. Despite this there is some kit that is essential | | | | hour your water should be safe to drink. It's |
| and should be in everyone's kit. Here are 11 items | | | | important to remember that these tablets won't |
| every bug out bag should include. | | | | remove all forms of bacteria, virus' or other |
| 1. First Aid Kit | | | | contaminants. |
| Of all items this is your most important, remember in | | | | 7. Rope |
| the event of a collapse or natural disaster you have | | | | Rope is necessary for a number of tasks such as |
| to rely on yourself, there won't be any 9-11 service, | | | | building a shelter, climbing, repairing clothing and |
| no paramedics, and no clean hospital beds if you are | | | | equipment, and building traps and snares to catch |
| injured. Make sure your first aid kit whatever type | | | | animals. I have three types that I carry in my bug |
| has a few pocket CPR masks. These masks will keep | | | | our bag, the first is para-cord an extremely strong |
| you from getting an infectious disease or from | | | | and lightweight cord that can be used for everything. |
| having to eat a casualties vomit. | | | | The second is nylon cord to be used as general |
| 2. Flashlight | | | | purpose rope such as tying up objects and building |
| I recommend using a flashlight that doesn't require | | | | shelters with. The third is a heavy duty climbing rope |
| batteries such as a wind up with LED lights. I keep | | | | for climbing and to be used as an improvised harness |
| two in my bug out bag in case one is lost or breaks. | | | | or "Swiss Seat" |
| Some models also have the ability to be used as a | | | | 8. Foot-powder |
| charger for items like cell phones, radio's or even | | | | In the wasteland your feet will probably be your only |
| iPod's. Another option is getting a head lamp which | | | | form of transportation, you must take care of them. |
| will allow you to go hands free. While these use | | | | If your feet are injured your mobility is compromised |
| batteries they tend to have longer battery life then | | | | and you become a target. |
| their hand held counterparts. | | | | 9. Shelter |
| 3. Radio | | | | I keep two large tarps with my bug out bag, rather |
| Having a radio provides two things, information to | | | | then a tent which can only be set up one way and |
| the outside world, to safe zones or evacuation | | | | requires multiple parts, a tarp can be rigged up any |
| centers, and a distraction. While I don't recommend | | | | way you need with the resources you have at hand. |
| blasting music where ever you go (If there are any | | | | Tarps can also be used to collect rain water. |
| radio stations left that are playing music) as this can | | | | 10. Compass |
| give away your position to others. Like flashlights try | | | | While a GPS (Global Positioning System) is easy to |
| to find one that doesn't require batteries. | | | | use and can provide your location within a few feet |
| 4. Knife and Multi-tool | | | | depending on model, they also rely on batteries and |
| Both are excellent choices and I recommend having | | | | satellite's. Batteries will only last so long before |
| both. For a knife you don't require a massive blade, a | | | | needing to be recharged, and even though there are |
| six inch blade is more then enough to be used as a | | | | thousands of satellite's in orbit, they will start to |
| tool and weapon. For multitools you can go the cheap | | | | breakdown quickly. A compass on the other hand if |
| route and purchase one for as little as 20 bucks, | | | | kept in working condition can provide your location |
| however I recommend spending a little more, say in | | | | for as long as you need it. |
| the 80 to 100 range as these offer better quality | | | | 11. Food |
| which in turn means longer life and more resilient to | | | | Like water food is important to keep yourself going. |
| abuse. | | | | With food you can go two directions either buy |
| 5. Fire Starter | | | | military style or inspired rations or canned food. Both |
| Fire is vital to ones survival, so carry a few different | | | | have long shelf life, but canned food has one |
| types of fire starters with you. The obvious first | | | | advantage it has water used to package the food |
| choice would be either a lighter or matches which I | | | | which can be consumed adding extra nourishment. |
| recommend having several with you. Also carry a | | | | Remember with canned goods to check for air |
| couple magnesium fire starters which are excellent at | | | | leakage. This can be done by simply pressing on the |
| starting fires. Another option is to use steel wool and | | | | top of the can. If the can's top is rigid and doesn't |
| a battery, simply spread apart the steel wool and rub | | | | move or moves very little it should be fine. If the top |
| the top of a battery on it. Make sure that these two | | | | can be pushed down a lot then there is a air leak in |
| items are stored separately, the last thing you want | | | | the can and the food has most likely gone bad. |