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© 2010 Security Whip
I’ve carried a bug-out-bag (BOB) with me for years now, so you would think that it would be an easy topic to write about, on the contrary it’s a very complicated subject. I guess that’s why you see numerous articles across the Internet from people asking what a bug-out-bag is, what the contents should be, and do I really need one. To make the subject even more complicated people use a myriad of different names for bug-out-bags, such as, Bail Out Bags, Ditch Kit, Go Bag, 72 hr kit, Get Home Bag, Every Day Carry (EDC), Get Out Of Dodge. (G.O.O.D) and the list goes on.
In its simplest form, a bug-out-bag is literally a bag of emergency supplies/gear that “you” believe would sustain you in an emergency situation or catastrophic event to get you from point A to point B. Is a bug-out-bag going to save your life, maybe, maybe not? I don’t know if I’ve read where a person stated that a bug-out-bag absolutely saved his or her life. Nonetheless, in the event of an emergency if you have a bug-out-bag I can almost guarantee you, that you will be more prepared than 99% of the other individuals in the same situation. You will also have a psychological advantage as well, so while the majority of people may be frantic because they are unprepared, you able are to move in a confident manner because you took the time to prepare.
So what’s my philosophy on bug-out-bags? When I design and build bug-out-bags I build urban bags. The reason is quite simply, I live in the suburbs and need to get from the city back to the burbs or from the burbs to my bug out location. In either event, I’m not heading off to the woods, so my bags will consist of items for that particular task. My bags will look like any other bag, I want to blend into the crowd and be just another brick in wall.
Sit down and think about your average day and where you spend the majority of your time. For me, I spend the most time in my home, driving in my vehicle and at work. In reality I spend about as much time away from my home as I do in it. So, it might make sense to have a bug-out-bag located in your vehicle, your place of work, and your home. For some that might not be practical, it may be better to carry one bag to each of your locations. This is totally up to you, but its something to consider.
So what’s inside a bug-out-bag? I promise, that no two people will agree on the contents of a bug-out-bag. Why? Because each one of us has different opinions on what’s important and each of our situations is different based on things such as location, geography, personal needs, where we are going, etc. Having said that, I do believe that most people (not all) will agree on certain “core” elements of a bug-out-bag. After you obtain your core items what you add after that is entirely up to you.
Core items should include the following:
- Light
- Fire
- Communications
- Navigation
- Water
- Food
- Clothing
- Signaling
- Shelter
- Tools
- First Aid
- Money
*You will notice right off the bat that I did not add a weapon to the core elements. From a security and liability stand point; this bag will generally be lying around possibly unattended or in a vehicle, so it’s probably not a wise idea to keep a weapon in the bag. But, here again this is entirely up to you.
You can easily buy pre-made kits off of the Internet to get you started, but I personally prefer to build my own kits from scratch. The problem I have with pre-made kits is, how can a whole survival kit cost only $40 bucks when you can’t even purchase a good backpack for less than $100 now days. It just doesn’t add up. Plus, in the event that a disaster does strike, I don’t want to have to guess if my equipment will work or stand up to harsh conditions. A bug-out-bag should be something like an investment.
The main things that I consider when building a bug-out-bag:
1. Weight
2. Durability
3. Cost
You will inevitable have a number of problems related to an emergency situation and the weight of you bug-out-bag is going to top your list, not at first mind you, but later when you become exhausted. To help with this, you need to “field strip” everything in your bag including the bag itself. Remove anything that is unnecessary to your survival such as packaging surrounding your gear, as an example ITS Tactical has a great video on field striping an MRE. Don’t stop there, go through your entire bag and do the same with everything in the bag.
What’s in your urban bug-out-bag?
Thanks
Security Guy
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I agree strongly on the pre made BOBs. If you are not familiar with what is in the bag a crisis is not the time to learn. In other words if you have a magnesium fire starter and on the day the power goes down and you think you can light some wood with it, well it’s a recipe for disaster. it’s barely better than not pepping at all. You might get lucky but why gamble. Buy a piece of equipment then use it at least a few times. I bought my fire starter after watching a demonstration at a gun show, then I told the guy I will buy 2 units if I can get up there and do it and it works the first time. He was confident in his product and I found it easy and got a free lesson. I noticed several folks following me and doing it themselves. No BOB should be standard, we all have different needs so let the “experts” continue to chatter while you do the right thing.
Great post! I have read so many articles about BOBs that it’s starting to make my head spin. I finally had to say to myself, what would I need? The question became: where would I be bugging out to and what would I need to get me there? Plan A is my parents house right down the road, thus a bug out bag need only be filled with stuff I’d normally take on a 3 day trip. Then for Plan B (1200 miles away) more would be required. And, although bugging to the woods would be my last choice, if I HAD to I’ve added the basics for outdoor survival, like food, shelter and a way to make fire. There is no magic formula for a BOB, they are as individual as the person using them.
Hi Melinda,
That 1200 mile trip would probably require a lot items than just your standard bug-out-bag!
Matt,
Great advice!
We have been looking at backpacks for the BOB for a couple of weeks now and there are a lot of features to decide on. Thanks for a detailed article.
For me, that is probably the most difficult part of this whole process, finding the right bag and the right price!
Now having retired from the military where I no longer carry my house on my back I have also begun including a workout with my BOB. Treadmill, squats, modified pushups where I am on my knees and walking will help you know if your BOB is properly loaded, weight distirbuted and not an overload for your general health. I also use mine to hunt with so I am always reworking the bag. I also find that bags can be like holsters, you may end up with a few and some will only be for specialties. I quit carrying the frame army large ruck as my BOB due to age however I still keep it around and find it handy for traping and large game pack outs. Great postings!
I do not have a remote retreat to bug out to. We plan to “bug-in” for most emergencies. If anything my house on the edge of a smallish town may be a place family in the area retreats to. Therefore my bug-out kits are mostly designed to get me home from the office in the city, or where ever I might be. I have limited mobility so I am not planning to go anywhere with a backpack or duffel bag as I could not carry them far.
Every Day Carry (EDC) – outside of house – These items are always on my person when I am out of my house.
Personal identification – Driver’s License, CCW, Sheriff’s Dept. volunteer ID, Passport card
Asst ID – medical, dental, AAA, Insurance agent, auto insurance, CPR card, FF card
Credit cards – more than one, and from different systems, always paid in full each month (never charge what you can’t pay in full).
Cash (min $500), change (min $15), checkbook
cell phone – the most important security tool!
keys – house, garage, cars, van, trailer, office
medications – prescriptions, AD, knees
knife – Swiss Army knife
multi-tool – Buck Tool
personal protection – handgun & spare mag (left behind when flying)
keychain based tools – S&W screwdriver
Pocket PC with eWallet (great program!)
Panasonic DMC-ZS3K pocket digital camera
Quark LED flashlight
ear plugs, pen & pencil, napkins
Mobility aid – walking stick
Rolling computer bag w. PackSafe security kit – goes to my office with me, otherwise in my car – with my limited mobility I can roll this anywhere I can walk.
laptop w. accessories (AC supply, mouse, headset, USB flash drives, USB hard drive, 30′ Ethernet cable, memory card reader, cell phone tether cable, pocket PC VGA & USB cable, camera cable, camera charger)
Totes folding umbrella
Yeasu VX-7R 4 band ham radio, antenna, DC cable
reading glasses, & repair kit
pads & notebook, envelopes, address labels, stamps, business cards
first aid – bandages, neosporin, vitamins, medicines, back scratcher, dental floss, ziplock bags
Boy Scout signal mirror
assorted wire ties
pens, pencils, extra leads, eraser, highlighters
laser pointer, AA cells
comb, inflateable travel pillow, eye shades
spare car key, ear plugs, AC outlet tester
United Airlines comfort kit – socks, toothbrush & paste, body lotion, kleenex, eye shade
Note from doctor, handicap parking registration, ID holders
Car – the rest of this is always in my car
spare tire & factory jack/tool kit
2 quarts oil stored under hood
coat, goretex lined leather gloves, hat
windshield sun shade
ice scrapers, snow brushes
napkins & kleenex
2 – 1/2 liter water bottles
disposable camera – for accident photos
magnetic mount ham radio antenna
Jumper Cables – heavy duty
Milk crate in trunk
gallon windshield washer fluid
quart ATF
spray can WD-40
large roll duct tape
roll packing tape
1/2 liter water bottle
rag
County Emergency Preparation Guide Book
Craftsman 1/4″ drive socket sets, metric & english
small case w. folding umbrella, flashlite & batts, tire pressure gauge, pen, pad, added tools
larger case with DC air compressor, duct tape, folding shovel, Accident Report kit (disposable camera, tape rule, chalk, pen accident report form), first aid kit, multitool, triangular reflector, emergency poncho, emergency blanket, work gloves, bungee cord, assorted wire ties, battery terminal washers, Craftsman 3/8″ drive socket wrench sets, metric & english, & screwdrivers.
Cloth bag in trunk
2 pairs leather/cloth heavy duty work gloves
rain hat
cell phone headset
cell phone DC power cord
laptop DC power cord
ham radio DC power cord & belt clip
felt tip marker
Shooting bag in trunk – bright colored, zippered
100 rounds high grade carry ammo
100 rounds practice ammo
spare magazines
shooting glasses
Gentex 1030A active hearing protectors (Wolf Ears)
Large commercial first aid kit
These kits are not perfect, and change with time, but are what I am currently using.
I am a just a passer-by. OK, Leave a something in your blog just for your return visit.
One thing I don’t see covered in most aricles about bugging out is a means of self-defense. I know we don’t like to think about it but if a bug out bag is needed there may also be a need to defend yourself against crime or attack here is a link to a good article addressing this:
http://www.thesurvivalistblog.net/survival-guns/selecting-guns-for-bug-out-bag/
I like a lot of what I’ve seen here. I too am planning on more of a bug-in event. I live in the absolute outer fringe of a major metro area. it is a good place to be. I have easy access to the rural parts of the upper Midwest, but also access to the suburban environment where help will appear more quickly.
In response to the BOB question, I’m starting to think that I have gone in somewhat of a wrong direction. I bought a very tough backpack to use, but it is a little too “tactical”. I’m not sure it would blend in as well as a more REI friendly backpack would. I’m thinking I’ll need to change that. Also, something I’m working on is a good plan for my family. I’m fortunate becasue my kids go to school less than a mile from my house, but I’m working on kits for my kids (6 and 4) and mostly I’m trying to work on how to start making them part of the prep process. I’m a little challenged by that. How do I get them involved and make them confident when some of the basic questions are pretty scary. If we have to use the BOB, it will be a bad day and it will be something that scares the hell out of everyone. That’s tough.
Thanks for the good discussion.
I really enjoyed my visit to your blog especially this post about BOBs as I’m currently working on a prospective plan to put some together for myself and my husband. Thanks.
What is in your escape and evasion bag?