Bugout Bag Contents

The video below is intended as a review of the contents as follow-up to the Bugout Bag Basics video from my last blog post. Prepare an EDC or Bugout Bag if you have not done so, now is the time. If you do not know ask and seek the knowledge and skills that you need. Feel free to ask or comment.

Please like, share and subscribe to my YouTube channel. It is a new channel and you can expect to see videos on survival skills, knowledge and instruction as well as gear reviews and how to videos.

Thank you for watching.

Now Is The Time To Prepare

With the unrest, lack of respect for law and order and increasing intolerance of others in our country time is running out for becoming prepared. Here in Oregon towns have burnt and our large metro areas are in danger of burning. Many individuals and cities are under evacuation notice or orders. If you do not know the basics of human survival and the associated skills now I encourage you to learn.

Although it is currently extraordinary times the truth is we never know when disaster will strike. None of us are guaranteed safety at any time. It could be something as simple as sliding off a lightly traveled back road in the snow in very low temperatures. Would you have an Every Day Carry (EDC) bag or Get Home Bag (GHB) equipped with the gear and survival rations you need? If you slipped while on a hike in winter slid into the stream and became soaked would you be able to start a fire? With a wet lighter? Could you start that fire with only a knife, fire steel and some wood you found? Do you know the danger of hypothermia? These types of questions are what you need to ask yourself and you need to give yourself an honest answer. It is okay to not know how to do something. The key is recognizing that before your life depends on it and doing something about it now.

In the last 100 to 125 years the vast majority of us have lost skills and knowledge that was once so common. I am telling you now, this is the time to do something about it. If you do not have the knowledge and skills that may save your or your families live(s), seek it out and take action now. Start by watching my video on Bugout Bag Basic Information.

How To Be Prepared – Food

 

I did not see this Corona/Covid -19 pandemic coming and was not fully prepared. Yes, I have thought about the possibility of a pandemic/outbreak of disease as a possible scenario for bug out. or in. However this caught me off guard and gave me some lessons. One, to have more toilet paper in reserve. More seriously however that I need to have more masks, gloves and rubbing alcohol stored. A large number of people may be saying this to themselves consciously or subconsciously right now. I have been a “Prepper” for over 10 years now and to some degree I have said this to myself recently. Some people found that they were fully prepared however I would venture to say that those people are relatively few in numbers. More than likely the majority of people have found that they were totally unprepared. Myself I am somewhere in between. Where do you start if you were someone totally unprepared you may be asking?

In a nutshell remember this. You can survive for 3 minutes without oxygen, 3 hours exposed in hot or cold environments, 3 days without water and 3 weeks without food. And I lastly however not necessarily in this order, I add 3 seconds without a self defense tool/weapon. This is known as the rule of 3’s. These are approximates and not guarantees.

My advice to people who want to prepare for the next calamity is start with food and water. To start, initially make a goal to ensure that you have 2 weeks of food on hand separate from your regular grocery expenditures. In that I mean that you have two weeks of food set aside not factored into your regular weekly, biweekly or monthly menu planning.

Once you have obtained that goal, slowly add to that and make your next goal to have one month of food on hand. Start with foods you would normally eat for the two week and month supplies. Do so via creating a separate pantry and or freezer for your food stock pile. From there and beyond the one month food goal start focusing on staple items in bulk such as 25 or more pound bags of split peas, flour, beans, oats for example. Keep increasing your goal until you reach your desired end goal whether it be 6 months, 1 year or 5 years of food.

If money or time is an issue, this format will help you start out with little money and time and progressively add to your food stockpile. If money is real tight, even just buying one extra can of food or an extra jar of peanut butter each grocery trip for example is a start. It all adds up over time. It helps to break the task of food storage down into the smaller chunks/goals as to not be so overwhelming.

Small Hiking EDC or Survival Kit

As I have stated in my past articles you face the possibility of some threat to your safety no matter where you live.  The danger will most likely confront you when you least expect it.  Earthquakes, landslides, hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, wind storms, fires, tsunamis, dirty bombs, mall shootings, government collapse are all potential threats to your safety.  There are so many more threats to your safety, enough that I may write an article just on potential threats.  Some threats could be as simple as your car sliding off a snow-covered road in a remote location.  My point here is would you be prepared by having the most basic of tools and equipment to keep yourself safe or even survive?  If you said no to yourself what the hell are you waiting for?

In previous articles I have promoted preparedness for you and your family in the form of 72 hour kits, BOB’s, Go Bags and the like.  This articles intent is for you to take action by building or purchasing a small every day carry (EDC) kit that you can keep in your vehicle or office or both.  A basic small EDC kit does not have to cost you a fortune or require a substantial investment like the prior mentioned larger kits.  A small EDC kit like the one pictured in the kit below is all you may need to get through 24 hours or less of hardship.

Lets break down what components I recommend that you should include within your basic small EDC at a minimum.

• Pouch
• Emergency Blanket
• Flint Striker
• Bushcraft Knife
• Whistle
• Compass
• Flashlight
• Water Filtration Straw
• Survival Bracelet

 

Now lets examine what you I recommend that you add to your small EDC kit to supplement it.

Altoid Survival Tin

Contents:

• Lighter
• Candle
• Tinder
• Fishing line, hooks, sinkers
• Bandaids
• Duct Tape
• Signal Mirror
• Pen
• Paper
• Safety Pins
• Can Opener

A small EDC/Survival kit like the one in my video and discussed above may function as a get home bag as well as an everyday emergency kit.  If you are within a day or less travel by foot of your home a kit like this one should aid you in your return home.  My kit goes with me on my short day hikes and serves its purpose very well.  Thank you for watching my video and reading my article.

Budget Every Day Carry (EDC) Kits

As I have stated in my past articles you face the possibility of some threat to your safety no matter where you live.  The danger will most likely confront you when you least expect it.  Earthquakes, landslides, hurricanes, tornados, blizzards, wind storms, fires, tsunamis, dirty bombs, mall shootings, government collapse are all potential threats to your safety.  There are so many more threats to your safety, enough that I may write an article just on potential threats.  Some threats could be as simple as your car sliding off a snow covered road in a remote location.  My point here is would you be prepared by having the most basic of tools and equipment to keep yourself safe or even survive?  If you said no to yourself what the hell are you waiting for?

In previous articles I have promoted preparedness for you and your family in the form of 72 hour kits, BOB’s, Go Bags and the like.  This articles intent is for you to take action by building or purchasing a small every day carry (EDC) kit that you can keep in your vehicle or office or both.  A basic small EDC kit does not have to cost you a fortune or require a substantial investment like the prior mentioned larger kits.  A small EDC kit including the knife like the one pictured above is all you may need to get through 24 hours or less of hardship.

Lets break down what components I recommend that you should include within your basic small EDC at a minimum.

• Pouch
• Emergency Blanket
• Flint Striker
• Bushcraft Knife
• Whistle
• Compass
• Flashlight
• Water Filtration Straw

Now lets examine what you I recommend that you add to your small EDC kit to supplement it.

• Altoid Tin
• Lighter
• Candle
• Tinder
• Fishing line, hooks, sinkers
• Bandaids
• Duct Tape
• Signal Mirror
• Pen
• Paper
• Safety Pins
• Can Opener

I believe that everyone should have at a minimum a kit containing some or all of the equipment discussed in this article.  Do not delay an emergency is not going to wait until you are prepared to handle it.  Purchase a small ready made kit like the one below or put together your own.

Click the image below

BYOB (Build Your Own Bob)

In my previous posts on 72 Hour Kits and Survival Bags I discussed the gear needed to assist you during a time of need.  You may have a need for some of the items everyday while other items may only be used durning a natural disaster, roadside emergency or civil disturbance.  If you do not yet have some sort of kit/bag for preparedness for such an event I suggest you do so soon if not now.

This post is intended for you to be able to fairly quickly build your own custom BOB (Bail Out Bag), EDC Kit or 72 hour kit in one place at one time.  Instead of spending hours of research on products online you can pick and choose from quality items already reviewed by myself or others in the BYOB Market Place.  My goal is to help as many individuals and families become prepared for events that may occur at any time.

The BYOB Market Place is stocked with the major items needed for your BOB with additional items periodically being added to the stock.  The following items are things which you can then add to your new BOB inexpensively on your own to make it complete.

• Altoid Survival Tin (see altoid survival tin post for contents)
• Bandana
• Duct Tape
• Food
• Masks
• Bug Repellent
• Sun Screen
• TP, Tooth Brush, Hand Sanitizer
• Note Pad, Pen, Pencil, Sharpie
• Batteries

Please check out the BYOB Market Place and start preparing today, even just a few items will get you more prepared.  If you have any questions, need help or have suggestions for gear to be added to the BYOB Market Place please feel free to comment.

Altoids Survival Tin

In my last post I had mentioned that putting together your own Altoids survival tin may be a benefit to you.  This is especially true if you are new to prepping and are overwhelmed with the many EDC, BOB’s, GHB’s and various other kits you may build or buy.  Which type of kit should I prepare?  What equipment do I really need in it?  How do I afford it?  If you have asked yourself these questions and feel overwhelmed I suggest you start small by putting together your own Altoids survival tin.  I enjoyed gathering the items for my tin together and having to arrange the items in such away that they all fit.  You can put your tin together for a very low cost and you may already have a lot of the items in your home or garage.

What you put in your tin depends in part on where you expect to need it.  For instance do you live in a more rural location or explore the forest and wilderness occasionally?  Or do you live in a city or more urban environment?  You may want to consider the following items as a minimum for either location.

Common Survival Tin Contents

• Lighter, matches or both
• Candle
• Fire tinder (cotton, jute twine etc.)
• Aluminum foil
• Small flashlight or micro light
• Small knife, blade or razor blade
• Cordage or twine
• Sewing needle
• Thread or dental floss
• Safety pints (2 0r 3)
• Bandaid
• Duct tape
• Pen or pencil
• Paper
• Rubber band(s)
• Coffee filter
• Alcohol pad
• Pain relievers
• Allergy medication

Wilderness Survival Tin Content Suggestions

• Signaling whistle
• Signaling mirror
• Snare wire
• Button compass
• Fishing line
• Fish hook(s)
• Split shot sinkers

Urban Survival Tin Content Suggestions

• Cash
• USB drive (thumb drive)
• Can opener (p38 or similar)

It is your survival tin so you can build it the way you want it with what you want in it.  My tin does not have some of the items I have listed however it is always evolving and may at some point.  You can modify and or reorganize your tin as often as you like. And if you think of any other items put em in if you think they are a benefit.   I recommend that you have your survival tin with you or on you at all times.  These kits may also be called PSK’s (personal survival kit) and without yours you will be more at risk in a time of need.  Put one in your pocket or purse and get used to having it with you.  Please view my Altoids survival tin video below and feel free to comment here or on YouTube.

72 Hour Kits and Survival Bags Part 3

Here in part 3 of my 72 Hour Kits and Survival Bags post I discuss tips and information which may  help you to choose and build or purchase a kit/bag of your choosing.  My personal belief is that there is no wrong kit or bag nor one all encompassing mega survival ensemble.  Sure, some individuals may pack so much gear that there bag is too heavy for them to pack around; however it doesn’t mean it is wrong.  I will say if your bag is on the heavy side it would be advisable to hike/walk with it regularly to become acclimated and fit with it.  A survival kit or bag should be balanced with the suggested minimal amount of gear and tools to accomplish any survival task you may find a need to accomplish.

Again a belief of mine in regards to tools and equipment/gear is that the key items such as the following should be comprised of quality brand/researched items.

• Knife(s) (survival/bushcraft, hunting etc.)
• Multi-tool
• Compass
• Bottle
• Paracord
• Flashlight
• Radio (transmitter and or receiver)
• Fire Steel or Magnesium Bar

Other items may be comprised of lessor quality or more inexpensive items again my personal belief.  The reason behind this is that the key items are items which you may really need to depend on and use repeatedly.  You do not want any of those items to fail.

What kind of survival bag should I build or buy?  This really depends on what you intend for the kit/bag.  Do you want a bag that has the tools and equipment you need on a daily basis?  Then you may want to consider an EDC bag which would have the tools and equipment you may need daily such as a multi-tool, flashlight, pens and pencils, cell phone, camera and so on.  Is preparedness for disasters, disturbances, emergencies or road side mishaps your focus?  For these types of situations you may want to consider a 72 hour survival kit/bag for longer lasting more survival oriented scenarios.  Or do you desire a bag that will get you home (get home bag) from work on foot if necessary provided you live within walking/hiking distance of your work place.  Maximum walking distance per individual is variable dependent on fitness level, shoes and other factors such as whether you are carrying a pack but may be 6-20 miles in a day.  See the following article for more information and please conduct your own research on this topic.

http://walking.about.com/b/2007/03/19/how-far-can-a-healthy-person-walk.htm

My current survival bag is a morph between a 72 hour bag and get home bag however it also has items minus the cell phone and camera that could be used daily if needed.  Some individuals may consider a bag like mine heavy at 25-30 pounds which to be honest probably is.  I personally would rather have the items I need when I need them as opposed to needing the items I should of had.  One way to reduce the weight of your pack/bag is to pack it with items that have multiple uses such as a pencil sharpener which may sharpen a stick for a spear and provide shavings for fire tinder.  A good survival knife can skin an animal, baton down a tree and split kindling for a fire eliminating the need for an axe, and hunting knife.

If all of this information seems overwhelming to you I suggest you start small literally.  Begin with putting together your own Altoids survival tin which is an affordable way to have basic items you would need for survival that can be kept in your pocket or purse.  You can fit 15-30 or more items in the tin and many of them you can find around your home.  In my next post I will share my Altoids survival tin and suggest items to fill yours with.  Thank you for reading my posts.

 

Inexpensive Waterproof DIY Fire Tinder

This is a short post on waterproof fire tinder you can prepare yourself.  I recently prepared my own waterproof fire tinder that works very effectively.  It is important to have good tinder and to practice with it before you need it in an emergency situation.  The reason for this it that your finger dexterity and ability to do so may be reduced or diminished  in a survival situation.   This project was not my idea and I obtained the information on how to prepare the fire tinder from Hedgehog Leatherworks which has a great article on the topic.  I found the material to make the tinder at our local super market for under $7.00 and prepared it in about 15 minutes.

How To Make Waterproof Tinder For Fire Starting, click the link to the left to view the article and video at Hedgehog Leatherworks.

72 Hour Kits and Survival Bags Part 2

I caught hold of the prepping bug and began to put a BOB together three years ago.  At first the bag was just a black back pack I found in our closet which I slowly stocked with the gear I believed that I needed.  I started purchasing items a little at a time from places like Walmart as I did not have funds to buy the name brand high end gear I desired.  You can actually obtain some fairly good items/gear from the mega marts fairly inexpensively however.  The Maglite, Energizer WeatherReady crank LED flashlight and Buck 110 folding knife are the best name brand buys I scored from Walmart.  Another excellent way to get great deals on your gear is to make purchases through Amazon.  If you pay attention and place only the items that offer free shipping at Amazon in your cart you can have an entire order ship for free.  I had an order for gear that totaled over a hundred dollars which shipped for free.  

The BOB pictured above is my current configuration of gear and bags.  I say current because as I mentioned in part 1 of this post BOB’s tend to evolve over time or carry on as a work in progress.  Some individuals even change up there BOB’s gear with the change of seasons.  I chose a Maxpedition Sabercat VersiPack in olive drab as my BOB and later added the Condor H2O bottle pouch in order to carry all of my gear.  The H2O pouch carries my two pots, water bottle, Leatherman Wave multi-tool, emergency blanket, some paracord and a magnesium bar.  For day hikes I split off and carry my H2O pouch with gear inside and have the basic survival equipment needed in an emergency.  The picture below shows all of my gear with the exception of my tarp and sleeping gear.

My BOB contains the following items:

• Maxpedition Sabercat Versipack bag
• Condor H2O water bottle pouch
• Nalgene water bottle
• Two cook pots/drinking cups and forks/spoons
• Folding cook stove and  2 Sterno fuel cans
• Food for 3 meals per day with a snack
• Fire starting kit with fire steel, tin foil, water proof matches, Vaseline soaked cotton and a pencil sharpener
• Fleece beanie cap, pair of work gloves, mosquito head net/fishing net and 2 bandanas
• 1 crank LED flashlight and 3 other flashlights
• Ham radio and FRS/GMRS radio
• 4 AA batteries
• Toilet paper, tooth brush, tooth paste, bar of soap, compressed towels and bug repellent 
• Compass, emergency whistle/thermometer, knife sharpener and lip balm
• Sunscreen, duct tape, pain relievers, tent stakes, thread and needles
• Signal mirror, lighter and birthday candle
• First aid kit, poncho and emergency blanket
• Gallon size plastic bag, coffee filters, local map and navigation instructions
• Shovel and hand saw
• Survival knife
• Hunting knife
• Multi-tool
• Paracord
• Notepad, pens, pencil, and sharpies

My BOB is kept in the vehicle I drive and there is also another different one in the vehicle my wife drives.  Our two daughters that are still at home with us each have a 72 hour kit that I am continuing to build on as well.  If you are new to prepping or are just getting started with a BOB, or 72 hour kit hang in there and build on it a little at a time.  Before long you will have a fully functional BOB with the gear you need.

Update – October 2021

Our bags/kits evolve over time as we learn what works best and what does not work so well and also as we gain knowledge and skills. We watch other people’s reviews and see things they include that we may not and thus decide to incorporate them into our bag. Or we come up with our own new innovative ideas, gadgets or gear to include. It has been over eight years since my initial 72 Hour Kits and Survival Bag article was posted. My bag has evolved many times over the years. To see my current setup click the video link below.

https://youtu.be/6oclssvZcow