Bug Out Bag Essentials

First consideration needs to be the bug out bag itself.

Unless you are a seasoned hiker or have spent time in the military you may not have the strength it takes to hoist and carry a 75 pound pack on your back. The first bag I used was an Alice pack in a frame and after I packed it full and put it on my shoulders I could barely move with it; much less carry it for any distance. Another problem I had was with the frame which is built primarily for a man. Women need to remember that we are built differently and most frames just don't fit our bodies.

A good multi-day pack, like the NcStar Tactical Back Pack, is a good choice for men and women and will hold a lot of the emergency items you need for survival. Make sure the bug out bag is made of durable material and in muted earth tones or camouflage to help you blend in to your natural surroundings.

For short term high calorie foods that require little or no preparation are essential to maintain health and energy levels. Three days worth of a combination of MRE's , protein bars, trail mixes, jerky and chocolate are good choices.

You don't want to completely fill up your bug out bag with food so you will need to consider ways to forage and hunt food for long term calorie intake. Compact fishing kits, small game traps and snares should have a place in your pack along with your hunting weapon of choice and extra ammunition.

An edible wild foods guide can help you identify berries, fruits and plants to round off your diet.

Trying to pack enough water for three or more days will be too heavy for your bug out bag. Water purification tabs are good to carry but they do not last long. Packing a sheet of plastic or a rain poncho to collect rain water is a good idea and can be used to keep your shelter dry.. Pack enough water for one or two days and invest in good portable water filter and canteen.

The Katadyn Pro Hiker Microfilter is the most widely used and the replacement filters are easy to find. Make sure you pack an extra filter replacement cartridge.

Here is a short list of bug out bag essentials to get you started:
Bic Lighters

Magnesium Striker to start a fire

Waterproof Matches

Canteen

Snare Wire for trapping small game

Compact Fishing Kit

2 Compasses

Compact Binoculars

Topographical Map (know the terrain you are heading towards)

Camper Knife/Fork/Spoon Combo

Camp Knife (for work)

Combat Knife (for defense)

Leatherman Multi-tool

Wire Saw (get one with leather straps, not metal rings) or camp saw

Folding Camper Saw (for bigger jobs)

550 Paracord

Plastic Zip Ties

Carabiners (numerous uses)

Small Sewing Kit (pack extra needles)

First Aid Kit (don't forget Quick-Clot and poison oak/ivy soap and regular prescription meds)

Folding Shovel

Small Knife Sharpening Stone

Compact Mess Kit (get steel or porcelain enamel for durability and stay away from aluminum)

TOILET PAPER!!! (get a thick roll, cut out the cardboard center, and smash it down)

Rain Poncho

2 Thick Emergency Thermal Blankets (Shiny on one side- blue on the back)

Small Camp Stove (I recommend the Bush buddy Stove)

Water Purification Tablets

Katadyn Water Filter & extra filters

Solar charged LED Flashlight (cover light with small piece of clear red plastic to reduce visibility)

Extra bulb for flashlight

Rechargeable Batteries

2 Pairs of Wool Socks (even if you bug-out in the Summer)

Solid Leather Boots (wear these, and make sure they're worn in before an event occurs)

Small Survival Guide (helps you to remember possible strategies)

Wild Edible Plants Guide

Paper & Pen

To learn more about bugging out and bug out bag essentials visit my website. I've created a resource of links for you to get the information and supplies that you need and adding more daily. Just click on the Big Arrow Link below. Good luck and God bless!