Nowadays, it seems as though uncertainty is the only certainty. The economy is in a deep trough, there is an ongoing pandemic and the news headlines become more depressing by the day. Making the situation even more unstable is the fact that the world population continues to skyrocket, ramping up demand for the planet’s limited resources all the more.
If you do not have a Bug Out Bag, now is the time to make one. However, you might not have any idea as to what should be inside of a Bug Out Bag. Fret not, our preparedness specialists are here to help you create the perfect Bug Out Bag that prepares you for just about any challenge that might arise.
Why Bug Out Bags are Necessary
Before we delve into the nuanced items that belong in your Bug Out Bag, let’s delve into why such a bag is essential in the first place. These bags are named as such in reference to “bugging out” during perilous times. If a surprise emergency arises out of the blue, be it a natural disaster, war, severe weather or something else, you will be in that much better of a position if you have a Bug Out Bag at your disposal.
In short, these bags are survival kits containing the essentials necessary to survive in all sorts of different emergencies. Grab your Bug Out Bag when disaster strikes and you will have exactly what you need to maintain a decent quality of life, regardless of whether you leave your home for a safer location, drive without any destination in mind or head to a family member or friend’s place. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the top items to include in your Bug Out Bag.
An Air Filtration Mask
A human being cannot survive more than 90 seconds with compromised air. If you can’t find a source of clean air, you will pass away, likely within three minutes. Add an air filtration mask to your Bug Out Bag and you will rest easy knowing you can breathe perfectly clean and safe air regardless of whether the air around you is compromised. Such a mask filters particulates, ensuring you can breathe with ease.
Water
Water is necessary for life, regardless of whether there is an emergency situation or not. You need steady access to clean and safe drinking water for survival. Add a water filtration system to your Bug Out Bag and you will be able to convert potentially compromised sources of water into drinkable water that doesn’t make you sick.
It will also help to have a water bladder/water bottle that you can fill with water and take with you while on-the-go. Just be sure to choose a water bottle/bladder that is rigid enough to safeguard water without allowing contaminants to move inside. Above all, don’t lose sight of the fact that you can survive a mere 72 hours without water.
A Tent and Additional Supplies
Shelter is essential, especially if you venture out into the wilderness or head outside in the midst of a violent storm. Furthermore, if there is a natural disaster that compromises your home, you will need a makeshift shelter that protects you against mother nature’s wrath. Carefully select a tent for your Bug Out Bag. The tent you choose should be waterproof, consisting of Mylar that retains warmth and proves resistant to water. A metal-coated space blanket will also help. Created with the overarching aim of retaining warmth, space blankets are an essential to Bug Out Bags. In fact, this blanket might even serve as a makeshift shelter of sorts. Be sure to add a sleeping bag that is light in weight and keeps you warm.
QuickSurvive Fire Starters
You need a versatile fire starter to survive in the outdoors. Load up on QuickSurvive Fire Starters and you will be able to start a fire for cooking purposes or to generate warmth wherever and whenever desired. Revered as the most versatile of fire starters, QuickSurvive gets a blaze started even when the temperatures dip down toward freezing, when it is raining and also amidst other inclement weather.
Even if the ground is damp and there is standing water, you will find starting a fire is surprisingly easy with QuickSurvive Fire Starters. QuickSurvive gets a fire going surprisingly quickly regardless of the time of day or night, the weather and other factors. Load up on QuickSurvive and you will be able to keep a fire going for at least 10 minutes at a temperate at or in excess of 750 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sustenance
Though you can certainly find food and some sources of hydration in the wilderness, survival during an emergency situation will prove that much easier if you prepare ahead of time by stocking up on water and food. At a bare minimum, you should have enough sustenance to last you and your loved ones a minimum of half a week. Ideally, the food and beverages you store will be able to provide you with the energy necessary to search for more food in the ensuing days.
Rations that are dense in calories and protein are of the utmost importance. If you transition to an area by the water, you will need a fishing kit to catch fish to cook over the fire. Load up on bait, hooks, strings and poles so you and your family can fish for food rather than rely on others for sustenance throughout the entirety of the emergency.
Medical Supplies
Chances are doctors, surgeons and other medical professionals won’t be available during a disaster scenario. This is your opportunity to embrace the DIY (do it yourself) ethos and load up your Bug Out Bag with essential medical supplies ranging from gauze pads to anti-bacterial wipes, painkillers, medical gloves, sunscreen, a medical instrument kit, antibiotic ointment, bandages and antiseptic wipes.
Don’t forget to include first aid instructions that tell you exactly how to use the tools in your medical supply kit and also provide tips for administering CPR. Furthermore, it is wide to add a tourniquet to your medical supplies. This form of compression really does have the potential to save a life by preventing the flow of blood through an artery or vein with the use of cords or bandages.
Weapons
If you are unarmed, it will prove quite difficult to defend yourself. At a bare minimum, your Bug Out Bag should contain a knife, pepper spray and possibly even a handgun along with ammunition so you can protect yourself, your loved ones and your Bug Out Bag supplies. Be sure to follow all state and Federal guidelines when it pertains to rules and regulations about what you are allowed.
Clothes
Don’t forget about the clothes. Aside from extra pants, shirts and underwear, it will also help to add gloves, a winter hat and a baseball cap to your Bug Out Bag. The addition of a waterproof jacket is also prudent.
Illumination
You will need a source of light aside from the sun to see when natural light dissipates. Add several flashlights, batteries, chem lights and a headlamp to your Bug Out Bag.
Tools for Navigation
Now that disaster has struck, you might not have a GPS system available through your car. Cell phone networks might also be down so don’t assume you can rely on your phone for navigation purposes. Buy or print out a map of your local area as well as areas you plan on traveling to when things go awry. It will also help to have a solar-powered or battery-powered GPS tracking system and compass. With innovations in technology we have been able to bring the compass from a handheld device, to a incorporated wrist utility!
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