How to Build a Bug Out Bag!
With shows like “Man vs. Wild” and “Survivorman” exposing to the art of survivalism, the survivalist movement is spreading faster than a wild fire doused with high octane jet fuel. When the stuff hits the fan (whether it be a natural disaster or because we all just can’t get along), you want to be prepared to take care of yourself and your loved ones. That’s what the survivalist movement is all about, taking your own destiny in your own hands! If you’re serious about getting prepared for the unforeseeable, a bug-out-bag is a must have. “What the heck is a bug-out-bag?” Well, I’m glad you asked. A bug-out bag is essentially everything you would need to survive in the wilderness for about 72 hours. The term is believed to be coined by the US military during the Korean War. When our guys were forced to retreat, which in all likelihood rarely happened, the commanding officer would yell, “Bug out!”” Hence, a bug-out-bag is something you can grab when you’re on the run. Obviously some of the items may vary depending on where you hang your hat, but there are several items that any reliable bug-out-bag must have.
1. Backpack: First things first: you’re going to need a bag, without the bag you’d just be bugging out. The pack you choose will be the foundation of your bug-out-bag. Everyone knows any sustainable project has to have a solid foundation. The items you put into your bug-out-bag may very well save your life, so you better be confident in the quality of your bag. This Military Tactical Pack will protect your gear; therefore, protecting you and your loved one’s lives. Our Armed Forces use packs similar to this one, so you know the packs are durable. This particular pack has multiple compartments to help keep your BOB gear organized. This pack also has locking straps both across the chest and waist to prevent it from sliding off your shoulders. Keep this in mind; while wearing your bug-out-bag, it’s ideal to have the majority of the weight of the pack on your hips. To accomplish this, simply play around with your pack’s adjustment straps.
2. Water: Water is your new best friend in a survival situation. We suggest packing at least 3 liters of this precious commodity in your B.O.B., but that’s only going to be enough for about 3 days. To air on the side of caution, it’s a good idea to throw a water filtration system in your bag. The LifeStraw will allow you to drink directly from contaminated water sources without worrying about pesky nuisances like microorganisms. This little guy weighs in at a mere 2 oz and will offer you up to 1000 liters of clean H2O. Of course you can also boil your water. Here’s a no-brainer, you definitely want to keep your distance from (or at least your mouth) water with materials floating in it, water that has a dark color or that has an odor. Long story short, you will need to let the contaminated water settle (12 to 24 hours) Next, you’ll want to cautiously dip the water that is in the top of the container and gently strain it through a filter, such as a coffee filter or a paper towel. Most agencies also suggest treating boiled water with bleach in order to be safe enough to drink. Valuable information, but also sounds like a lot of work. Why not pick up a Lifestraw, and save yourself the trouble. (Here’s a tip: Throw some instant tea or powdered lemonade into your BOB for a morale boost when you’re all bugged out on plain ‘ol water.)
3. Food: Well, if you didn’t guess this one, then we’re pretty sure you’re a goner whether you take our advice and build a bug-out-bag, or take a one-on-one survivalist course with the man himself, Bear Grylls. We can’t just throw a bag of Cheetos and a pack of Oreos into our bug-out-bag and call it a day. Remember it could be days before we have access to food, so we need to pack some food that carries a punch! You’re looking for something that’s high in protein and non-perishable. MREs are great for bug out bags. You can’t put a price on self-assurance, or can you? That’s what MyTacticalWorld is offering you for just $58.62. This deal includes 12 ready-to-eat meals, no need for refrigeration and you don’t need water to cook it! Some other protein packing snacks to chunk in your bug-out-bag would be granola, trail mix, peanut butter, rice beans and so forth. It’s probably a good idea to keep a sizable stash of some these staple groceries in an alternate location for emergencies which result in prolonged restrictions to purified water and food.
4. Shelter: If you’re going to survive, you’ve got to have some place to lay your head down and get some shut eye. There are a few elite souls on this planet that can go without sleep (i.e. parents of infants), but the rest of us poor souls can’t function without sleep. In a survivor situation, you’re going to need a tent. This Maxam Digital Camo 2-Person Tent will comfortably hold two adult people. It also meets CPAI-84 flame retardant specifications. The camo color will also help you blend into your surroundings and hide from potential enemies. A good tent can be the difference between a good night?s sleep or you and your loved ones battling your surroundings. Attach this tent to the bottle of your bug-out-bag and you’re well on your way to a good night of shut eye.
5. First-Aid Kit: When you’re out in nature, cuts, scrapes, bumps and bruises are bound to happen. I mean look at all the hosts of those survivor shows. They’re normally sporting some sort of wrapped bandage or band-aid. In the event of a disaster, you won’t have a medic on standby like those guys. It’s up to you to get your BOB survivor ready for you and your family. Your bug-out-bag is all about being prepared, so of course you will need to be prepared for any injuries you may encounter in your survivor journey. But you have to be careful which one you purchase, because some of them are filled with junk you more than likely won’t need. This Adventure Medical First Aid Kit 2.0 is stuffed with bandages, tape, adhesives, antiseptic agents, wipes and other goodies that will certainly come in handy during an emergency situation.
6. Self Defense: People tend to get crazy when thrust into emergency situations. Obviously a firearm is a good thing to have around, but there are other weapons you should have also. A survival pen could be used for protection and also come in handy if you’re ever trapped in a car and need to break a glass window. It’s also very convenient to carry, meaning it wont slow you down. This Smith & Wesson tactical pen is also bundled with a compact flashlight that out puts 65 lumens.