A bug out bag is a portable bag containing all the necessary survival items required to outlast seventy-two hours or more after vacating a disaster. Some bug-out bags can even last for periods way longer than seventy-two hours.
A bug out bag is also referred to as "BOB" in short. Other names given to these bags are battle box, seventy-two-hour kit; grab bag and, personal relocation emergency kit. Rather than survival, the bug out bag's immediate focus is towards an extended period of survival. People practicing Prepper subcultures and survivalism are also frequent users of the bug out bag.
Considering Essential Items For Bug Out Bags
To avoid catastrophe and survive for numerous days, there are multiple things that you should have at your disposal. Because barely surviving isn't enough, you have to take care of sustaining yourself as well, as you never know when the dust would settle down. People who are homesteaders do not prep for these disastrous situations as well as they should.
Just because something wrong has not happened before does not mean that it'll never happen. Therefore, we have given a list down below that will cover all of the essential items that you should consider adding to your bug out bags.
Water
Water is an absolute necessity; it is impossible for a human body to function without consuming it for extended periods. Just remember that just filling up liters of water in your bottles wouldn't be any use if the water isn't purified. Disasters often strike suddenly without any warning calls, and a lot of people do not have enough time to filter their water. Here are some items that you should pack along with your bottles that will help you purify the water.
Food
Food is another necessity for the human body's sustenance. You do not have to prepare large quantities of dishes and freeze them; you can buy some items from local supermarkets or grocery stores. Make sure that these items have a long shelf life.
These items will provide you with the essential minerals, vitamins, protein, and carbohydrates to ensure that your stomach is relatively full and doesn’t need constant refueling.
Clothing
Do not try to bring along your whole wardrobe. A few necessary clothing items mentioned down below are all you will need.
Shelter
You will require a tent, tarp, a heavy blanket, sleeping pad, and a sleeping bag for better cover. However, you will need a big bug out bag.
Communication
People often take communication for granted, but when things get extremely tough communication proves to be the saving grace for everyone. Communicating can be difficult whenever a catastrophe occurs. Having a prepaid cell phone, flare, and emergency radio will help you get in touch with others with relative ease.
These were the main items necessary to store in a bug out bag. Other things that can come in handy are torches, medicines, sanitizers, band-aids, and batteries among numerous other things.
What To Watch Out For When Packing?
Weight Distribution
Making sure that your bag doesn't carry too much load on one particular side is of pivotal importance. It might seem like a minor thing, but weight distribution is critical. People often pack their bug out bags in a hurry and stuff them with bulky or unnecessary items.
It leads to difficulty in carrying the bag as it will be lighter from one side and heavier on the other. To ensure the best weight distribution in your bug out bag, place the more cumbersome and larger items down below, and stack the lighter or smaller things above them.
Size Distribution
Another essential element to consider while packing the bug out bags is size distribution. As we mentioned earlier, stack the lighter items over heavier items. It will not only make the bag more comfortable to carry, but it will make all of the stored things easily accessible to you.
Types Of Containers To Use
There is a wide variety of plastic boxes to choose from, which is excellent. The critical thing to consider before purchasing these containers is to make sure it doesn't have any leaks.
Because once a plastic container begins to leak inside your bug out bag, the chances are that the rest of your items will damage because of it. Check out for the following things before buying a container.
There are chances that no container will meet all of the abovementioned requirements. But, the strategic arrangement of your items can save you from trouble.
Food Expiry Date
As we briefly discussed earlier, always make sure that the expiry date of the food you buy is months or years away. You never know how long you are going to be in trouble after the catastrophe; so, having relatively fresh food will not only keep you healthy, but it won't rot any time soon.
Pack According To Your Bodyweight
People often cram their bag with hundreds of items that make their bags extremely heavy. Easy mobility should be the top priority of every survivor. Always pack your bug out bags according to your body weight; this doesn't mean that you have to make them too light, make them easy to carry.
The reason why packing according to your body weight is given importance is that you never know when you have to flee from a dangerous situation. Lighter bags will not only be simple to carry for you, but you'll be able to sprint.