My Bug-Out Bag
I've started putting together a "bug-out bag". I am an Eagle Scout... and you know what they say: "Be Prepared.". A bug-out bag is something you pack for an emergency, when the shit really hits the fan. Whether it's an earthquake, flood, tsunami, mega-volcano, zombie outbreak, alien attack, electromagnetic pulse, meteor, nuclear or civil war - you don't want to be waiting in line at REI when it happens. You want to have the basics ready to take with you, then get you and your family 'out of Dodge!'. Before having wife+kids, I'd figure if Armageddon came I would find the nearest weapon and fend for myself. Perhaps I've started this project now that there are little ones, but it's probably also due to watching The Road with Viggo Mortensen. (a well-done, yet disturbing film)
This is actually quite an intriguing project. It will force oneself to confront the humbling realization that we human animals are so domesticated, most of us wouldn't survive in the wild. One may develop a new sense of respect for Davy Crockett and, if you're like me, explore a whole new world of YouTube survivalist videos such as "How to set a snare trap". I have begun collecting the items for my Bug-Out Bag after reading up on survivalist articles and blogs. I will be hitting up Army Surplus stores, Wal-Mart, REI, and internet purchases... in that order. The key is having things on-hand, and not having to hit the store when it's too late.
Here is my list:
Food/Water
This is actually quite an intriguing project. It will force oneself to confront the humbling realization that we human animals are so domesticated, most of us wouldn't survive in the wild. One may develop a new sense of respect for Davy Crockett and, if you're like me, explore a whole new world of YouTube survivalist videos such as "How to set a snare trap". I have begun collecting the items for my Bug-Out Bag after reading up on survivalist articles and blogs. I will be hitting up Army Surplus stores, Wal-Mart, REI, and internet purchases... in that order. The key is having things on-hand, and not having to hit the store when it's too late.
Here is my list:
Food/Water
- Ruger 10/22 rifle (plus ammo, for small-game hunting)
(my xmas present from Brandie this year. Thanks babe!) - any other weapons/firearms (for defense as well as hunting)
- SOG Seal Pup knife
- wire for snare traps
- fishing gear
- mess kits
- steel canteen (for boiling and/or transporting water)
- water purification drops/tablets
- emergency food bars (enough to last until you are finding your own)
- bottled water (enough to survive on until finding a fresh source)
- multi-vitamins
Shelter/Safety
- tarp
- ponchos
- thermal blankets
- sleeping bags
- fire starter + matches / lighters
- rugged clothing (including boots, jackets, scarfs, hats)
- israeli compression bandage + first aid kit
- bug repellent
- safety whistles
- deck of cards (because I may want to play Go Fish with my family to take their mind off Armageddon)
Tools
- multi-tool
- wilderness/road maps (should be laminated for weather)
- compass
- cash (just in case civilization is semi-functioning, but ATMs aren't)
- hand-crank radio/charger + lights
- glow sticks
- paracord
- wire saw
- sharpening stone
- duct tape (re-rolled for packing)
- folding shovel
- axe
- work gloves
To top it all off, I will make sure to bring my hardback rubber-bound copy of "How to Stay Alive in the Woods", which I picked up at a bookstore a few years ago. I hope I never have to use my Bug-Out Bag, but I'll sleep a wink better knowing I have it...