You Need to Start Packing Now!

Source: https://www.askaprepper.com/

One of the most talked about concepts in prepping circles is the idea of having a BOB, or bug out bag. There’s a good reason for this.

A bug out bag is simply a backpack of survival items that is designed to keep you alive for at least a three day or 72 hour period while you evacuate to a safer location in the middle of a disaster scenario that forces you to evacuate.

Your bug out bag should be pre-packed and ready to go so that you can grab it on a moment’s notice.

If you haven’t started emergency packing your bug out bag yet…you need to do so now. After all, you never truly know when a disaster could strike that would force you to need to bug out.

Here are the most important items to make sure your bug out bag is well-stocked and ready to go at all times:

Wilderness Long-Term Survival Guide

Wilderness Long-Term Survival Guide is the first handbook ever that helps people NOT just to survive in the wild, BUT to LIVE there!

You can use it to turn the wild into your second home and become self-reliant in nature long term.

With this guide, you can make the wild your bug-out location that will keep you safe even in the worst of times.

If a major crisis hits and you need to head for the woods, with the knowledge in this book you can rebuild everything from scratch, just like our ancestors who chose a piece of land in the middle of nowhere and restarted their lives.

Shelter

Shelter items are designed to provide you with protection from the elements:

Tent or Tarp

Go with compact and lightweight shelter options that can provide adequate protection from the elements. A lightweight tent or tarp would work best.

Emergency Blanket

Reflective or thermal blankets can retain body heat and offer insulation.

Sleeping Bag

As an addition or alternative to an emergency blanket, you could also go with a lightweight sleeping bag for warmth during nights.

Ground Tarp or Sleeping Pad

A ground tarp or pad would add more bulk and weight to your pack, while providing insulation from the ground, enhancing comfort and warmth.

Cordage

Go with durable paracord or lightweight rope for setting up makeshift shelters.

Mosquito Net

Depending on the region you live in, a mosquito net can offer you protection from insects.

Weather-Appropriate Clothing

Include a good coat or jacket, along with extra sets of shirts, pants, socks, and gloves.

Fire Starting Items

Fire starting items are designed to provide you with warmth, light, and the ability to cook food or boil water:

Firestarter Sticks

Fire starter sticks are compact and reliable fire-starting tools that ignite easily. They normally come in packs of ten to fifteen sticks.

Waterproof Matches

Weather-resistant matches are designed to light fires in damp conditions.

Related: How to Make Waterproof Matches at Home in 5 Minutes

Windproof Lighter

Go with a durable lighter that remains effective even in windy conditions. Standard Bic lighters can work too, however.

Ferrocerium Rod

Also known as a ferro rod, this is a versatile and long-lasting fire starter, capable of producing sparks when struck.

Magnesium Flint Striker

As an alternative or addition to the ferro rod, you could also go with a magnesium flint striker, which is a lightweight and compact tool that shaves magnesium for ignition.

Water

The ability to store and purify water from the items in your bug out bag is crucial:

Water Bottle or Canteen

Any lightweight and durable container for carrying and storing water would work. Make sure it is large enough to carry enough water to last you for three days.

⇒ The Awesome DIY Device That Extracts Water Out of Thin Air

Water Purification Tablets

These are compact tablets designed for emergency water treatment by killing bacteria and viruses.

Water Filter

Go with a handheld water filter that will allow you to drink directly from the source.

Collapsible Water Container

A collapsible for foldable containers will prove efficient for storing larger quantities of water when needed.

Stainless Steel Cup

It’s important to carry a stainless steel cup with you so you can boil water and cook food.

Food and Cooking

Having the ability to prepare food is just as important as having the ability to purify water:

Aluminum Foil

Besides using aluminum foil to cook food and boil water, you can also use it as a reflective surface for cooking.

Non-Perishable Food Items

Go with lightweight, high-calorie foods such as energy bars, trail mix, and canned goods that can help serve as snacks while you’re on the go.

Instant, Dehydrated Meals

These are more substantial meals. They’re lightweight and easy-to-prepare, requiring minimal water.

Compact Portable Stove

A stove enables cooking in the field using fuel canisters or alternative heat sources. Remember to include compact containers of fuel for portable stoves.

Multi-Tool Utensils

Look for a Swiss Army-style tool that come with a fork, knife, and spoon

Emergency Fishing Kit

Lightweight fishing gear can help you supplement food supplies with a fresh catch.

Can Opener

A compact, manual can opener will be a lifesaver for accessing canned goods.

Personal Hygiene Items

Personal hygiene should not be overlooked when it comes to building a bug out bag:

Travel-Sized Toothpaste and Toothbrush

A travel-sized toothpaste and toothbrush will get the job done without adding too much weight to your pack.

Soap Bar

Go with a simple bar of soap in a Ziploc bag or small plastic container.

Hand Sanitizer

Besides disinfecting your hands, hand sanitizer can also be used to help get a fire going since it’s very flammable.

Additional Tools and Items

Last but not least, here are additional tools and items that you would be wise to include as well:

Knife

Go with a durable and sharp fixed blade knife with a full tang, meaning that the grip is wrapped around the lower part of the blade material.

Handsaw

Go with a folding hand saw. This will prove more efficient than a knife for cutting through wood.

Hatchet

A hatchet can be used for more heavy duty work than your knife can, such as for chopping through wood or ice. It can also be used as a defensive weapon as well.

Duct Tape

What can’t duct tape fix? Include a full roll that you can use to make repairs to your bug out bag, clothing, or to help you with building shelter.

Compass

Go with a quality compass, not one of the cheap ones that you can buy anywhere.

Having a well-prepared bug out bag at all times is crucial for anyone concerned about emergency situations that could involve sudden evacuations.

A bug out bag that is equipped with the above items is designed to provide you with the essential supplies and tools needed for a short-term evacuation or survival scenario.