10 Must-Have Items for a Bug Out Bag

[Clyde]

I have the Ruger but I prefer my Springfield armoury M6 Scout.
22 hornet / 410 combo. Also comes with in 22lr / 410. Which is probably a better choice.
Great small rifle that folds up into a BOB or comes apart with one pin. Light weight and pretty accurate.

a friend of mine has had this rife for years! a great shooter!

 

[Brent S]

I don't know nearly as much as I Want to know. However, boiling water for 3 minutes will kill most organic toxins in the water. This does NOTHING for chemical poisons. There are also iodine and chlorine bleach methods to purify water, but I cannot remember off the top of my Head how much is safe to use. Again, however, It's useless against Chemical toxins in water.

Does any one know any method is removing chemical toxins from water??

Charcoal is pretty good, and distillation. Either will help, but I'm sure there are some nasty chemicals out there nowadays that could evaporate and condense back into your supply. Overall though, you're pretty safe with either method. If you're not sure how to distill, just look up how to make moonshine. The only difference is you're using pond water vs fermented sugar water.

 

[Jenn H]

Charcoal is pretty good, and distillation. Either will help, but I'm sure there are some nasty chemicals out there nowadays that could evaporate and condense back into your supply. Overall though, you're pretty safe with either method. If you're not sure how to distill, just look up how to make moonshine. The only difference is you're using pond water vs fermented sugar water.

Thanks!! I'll do that

 

[Hippophibia]

Does any one know any method is removing chemical toxins from water??

Water purification a bit of a wide topic. I have only given very quick answer here.
First to kill water born bacteria - as mentioned just bring the water to a boil, no need to wait for 3 minutes. at 66°c just about all bacteria die, water boils at 100°c or 98°c at higher elevation.

Some chemical contaminants like cyanide are broken down and degas just by exposing the water to sun's ultraviolet light.
Water with high salt (Na) and.or sulfate like sea water or salty spring can be treated through distillation or freezing. Mature glacial sea ice is clean fresh water and one of the most expensive water one can purchase. But that is another story!! Distillation is more survival/pepper style. One can use an empty food tin to boil the water in - if you are worried about contaminating your drink bottle.



Toxic blue green algae (which is not very common), and industrial chemicals is a bit more complicated. Would use the following method if no other water was available:
Strain the water through a cloth into a container used for boiling (remove large particles)
Distill the water - throwing away the first bit of water that comes out of the still as the chemicals might of volatilized and come through as a gas.
Filter the water through a bottle with charcoal and sand (charcoal is a good for poison absorption)
Might want to distill the water a second time

If there is known serious chemicals would not bother - if you suspect minor lead or blue green algae should be ok, Lead in small doses is easily past through the body - but that again is another story. Watch the vid and you should be good. That is why you have children and pets - give them the posisons water first and see what happens

 

[Silent Earth]

Thanks!! I'll do that

Make that Activated Charcoal like the good stuff you get for Aquarium filters.

 

[Silent Earth]

This link shows what a Berkfield / Doulton filter candle will cope with, which can be used to make an improvised pack filter for bug out.
http://www.avonsoft.com/system/index.html

Click on Doulton Candle Spec

 

[Brent S]

My favorite filter after researching was the berkey. It uses a gravity fed ceramic filter, that can be scrubbed and reused over and over. It may not be perfect, as most things aren't, but should make pond or creek water safe to drink. Mine is about a one gallon stainless container with I think three ceramic filters in the bottom. This reminds me I wanted to order some filter replacements, just in case. I've read that they can break it dropped or abused.

 

[Brent S]

If you're ever in a pinch, I saw a YouTube video of a 2 liter bottle made into a filter. He used sand, gravel and charcoal from some wood he had burned, and a bandana. It was primitive, and some of the charcoal made it through into the drinking water, but is a lot better than having dirreahia when you can least afford to be sick.

 

[Silent Earth]

 

[Dillo1]

Look up Solarbag by a company called Puralytics. Puralytics has developed LilyPad—a solar-activated photochemical water treatment product—designed to break down the harmful molecular bonds of contaminants and chemicals in streams, ponds, ditches, and other waterways near agricultural lands. This same process also kills microbes, including viruses, bacteria, and protozoa that render water unhealthy.

 

[S Johnson]

This is a great thread! My BOL is a bit far, so I want to be able to live out of my pack if I have to. Here's what I have:

1.) Water: I carry a platypus 2 liter water sack and a second bottle for carrying water, a lifestraw, and polar pure tablets, and aquamira drops, all in different locations. water is important so redundancy with this is a must

2.) Shelter: this is my heaviest and most expensive gear, I have a Celty 15 degree sleeping bag, a large tarp, an inflatable pad, and some paracord

3.) Fire: magnesium fire starter, a bic lighter, and a small baggy of vaseline-soaked dryer lint

4.) First Aid/Hygiene Kit: This contains gauze bandages, moleskin, ointments, quickclot, soap strips, wet wipes, benadryl, pain reliever, toilet paper, tampons, chapstick, toothbrush/paste

5.) Socks and other clothes: 3 extra pairs of socks: 1 merino wool, 1 synthetic wicking sports socks, and a pair of toe socks to relieve friction. Also underwear and a rain poncho

6.) Navigation: Terrain and road map of my area, compass for navigating

7.) Gerber knife

8.) Cooking: Wood gasifier stove and titanium pot - for cooking food, will even burn damp bits of wood

9.) Sewing/repair kit: with basic repair stuff for all my gear as well as some wire and fishing line for snares, duct tape, also good for sewing up wounds

10.) Food: I have nuts and dried fruit, cliff bars, some dehydrated meals, PB, and ramen noodles. Also a few salt and hot sauce packets.

I also have other things like cash, a headlamp, extra batteries, a copy of my passport, and my edc gun and ammo that would come with me as well. And a mini seed bank of some heirloom basics just in case I can't ever get back, since it's tiny and weighs almost nothing, it's worth the weight.

My baseweight is about 15lbs, total weight about 20-25 depending on how much water and food I have, which is pretty good, I think.

 

[Gazrok]

I'm going to add an item that became just useful as hell after we were out of power here for 5 days after Irma.

Solar Cell Phone Charger. This thing cost just $25 from Amazon, and is just a godsend. Consider how much info you can have on your phone for example. Not to mention it's use as a powerful worldwide communicator. Lets face it, the tricorder in Star Trek? It's basically not as good as your cell phone these days...

 

[Gazrok]

Getting a new backpack for the GHB/BOB this weekend. So, good excuse to go through it and flesh things out a bit. Also, going through my laptop bag (EDC) and maybe shaking things up a bit. May take some pics when I do.

 

[Silent Earth]

This is a great thread! My BOL is a bit far, so I want to be able to live out of my pack if I have to. Here's what I have:

1.) Water: I carry a platypus 2 liter water sack and a second bottle for carrying water, a lifestraw, and polar pure tablets, and aquamira drops, all in different locations. water is important so redundancy with this is a must

2.) Shelter: this is my heaviest and most expensive gear, I have a Celty 15 degree sleeping bag, a large tarp, an inflatable pad, and some paracord

3.) Fire: magnesium fire starter, a bic lighter, and a small baggy of vaseline-soaked dryer lint

4.) First Aid/Hygiene Kit: This contains gauze bandages, moleskin, ointments, quickclot, soap strips, wet wipes, benadryl, pain reliever, toilet paper, tampons, chapstick, toothbrush/paste

5.) Socks and other clothes: 3 extra pairs of socks: 1 merino wool, 1 synthetic wicking sports socks, and a pair of toe socks to relieve friction. Also underwear and a rain poncho

6.) Navigation: Terrain and road map of my area, compass for navigating

7.) Gerber knife

8.) Cooking: Wood gasifier stove and titanium pot - for cooking food, will even burn damp bits of wood

9.) Sewing/repair kit: with basic repair stuff for all my gear as well as some wire and fishing line for snares, duct tape, also good for sewing up wounds

10.) Food: I have nuts and dried fruit, cliff bars, some dehydrated meals, PB, and ramen noodles. Also a few salt and hot sauce packets.

I also have other things like cash, a headlamp, extra batteries, a copy of my passport, and my edc gun and ammo that would come with me as well. And a mini seed bank of some heirloom basics just in case I can't ever get back, since it's tiny and weighs almost nothing, it's worth the weight.

My baseweight is about 15lbs, total weight about 20-25 depending on how much water and food I have, which is pretty good, I think.

Ref number 7 I used to have a Gerber Guardian as my GHB knife, twice I snapped the tip of it. I ended up replacing it with a series of thicker more stout blades

 

[DrHenley]

Knives with hollow ground blades are susceptible to breakage at the tip, especially if the hollow grind extends to the tip. This is why genuine U.S. Marine Ka-Bars are NOT hollow ground.

 

[WilliamShatner]

I have clothes and a blanket but I Vacuum packed mine, effectively halves the volume, especially of the wool/fleece items, plus even if I go for a swim with the bag on my back I know they will be dry.

also have a microfibre towel which would double as an extra blanket

 

[Gazrok]

vacuum packing is a great idea for such items.

 

[Hippophibia]

I am adding a small barometer, it was a must have in years gone by to be able to determine incoming inclement weather. Society is way to reliant on satellite imagery and radar etc for modern weather forecasting.
I have a hollow ground knife - a knife is a cutting tool and I don't use it for wood processing that is why one needs a machete/axe or saw.

 

[whoeee]

This is a great thread! My BOL is a bit far, so I want to be able to live out of my pack if I have to. Here's what I have:

1.) Water: I carry a platypus 2 liter water sack and a second bottle for carrying water, a lifestraw, and polar pure tablets, and aquamira drops, all in different locations. water is important so redundancy with this is a must

2.) Shelter: this is my heaviest and most expensive gear, I have a Celty 15 degree sleeping bag, a large tarp, an inflatable pad, and some paracord

3.) Fire: magnesium fire starter, a bic lighter, and a small baggy of vaseline-soaked dryer lint

4.) First Aid/Hygiene Kit: This contains gauze bandages, moleskin, ointments, quickclot, soap strips, wet wipes, benadryl, pain reliever, toilet paper, tampons, chapstick, toothbrush/paste

5.) Socks and other clothes: 3 extra pairs of socks: 1 merino wool, 1 synthetic wicking sports socks, and a pair of toe socks to relieve friction. Also underwear and a rain poncho

6.) Navigation: Terrain and road map of my area, compass for navigating

7.) Gerber knife

8.) Cooking: Wood gasifier stove and titanium pot - for cooking food, will even burn damp bits of wood

9.) Sewing/repair kit: with basic repair stuff for all my gear as well as some wire and fishing line for snares, duct tape, also good for sewing up wounds

10.) Food: I have nuts and dried fruit, cliff bars, some dehydrated meals, PB, and ramen noodles. Also a few salt and hot sauce packets.

I also have other things like cash, a headlamp, extra batteries, a copy of my passport, and my edc gun and ammo that would come with me as well. And a mini seed bank of some heirloom basics just in case I can't ever get back, since it's tiny and weighs almost nothing, it's worth the weight.

My baseweight is about 15lbs, total weight about 20-25 depending on how much water and food I have, which is pretty good, I think.

 

[whoeee]

this is what you have to hold it to, since there's gotta be almost 2 lbs of NVD and charger, 3 lbs of soft armor, and 10-15 lbs of guns and ammo. You have to be able to RUN with a BOB, far and fast, drop prone when being shot-at, roll, jump up, repeat. Doing that with more than 40 lbs is something almost nobody can manage.

the number of items is a silly measure. What matters is bulk, weight and physical fitness. Most people can't run 100m in 20 seconds carrying NOTHING. Put a 40 lb pack on them and an unburdened campfire girl can outdistance them.

 

[whoeee]

hey

 

[Hippophibia]

this is what you have to hold it to, since there's gotta be almost 2 lbs of NVD and charger, 3 lbs of soft armor, and 10-15 lbs of guns and ammo. You have to be able to RUN with a BOB, far and fast, drop prone when being shot-at, roll, jump up, repeat. Doing that with more than 40 lbs is something almost nobody can manage.

the number of items is a silly measure. What matters is bulk, weight and physical fitness. Most people can't run 100m in 20 seconds carrying NOTHING. Put a 40 lb pack on them and an unburdened campfire girl can outdistance them.

If it has gone so bad that people are shooting at you then it is a discussion of survival and tactical retreat. One has to know when to bugout and not leave it too late, I don't envisage gangs of people hiding in the woods preying on people in the initial phases of calamity. My BoB is also separated into a tactical vest and large backpack. If a person is shooting at you ditch the pack and take action - there is always the possibility of returning and recover the pack. Upfront in a SHTF event the gangs will be looking for soft targets, most likely if you shoot back they will back off. There is no hospital no trauma unit or medivac - it is simply not worth the risk - it is very different to what one would think of a military type operation.

I have no issue with +40 lb backpack. One can also use a wheelbarrow, removal trolley, a furniture trolley, bicycle trolley etc.

I have my BoB with some food and a furniture trolley with an additional 50 lb of dehydrated and vacuum sealed food in large 30L water barrels that can later be used for other items that is a wilderness 'inch' bag for long-term remote survival.

 

[Hippophibia]

An Island to Oneself
http://www.janesoceania.com/suvarov_tom_neale/index.htm

Some light survival reading. This guy back in 1952 went and lived on a remote pacific island for 2 years. Some learning, his vegetable crop initially failed then he realised that he had to hand pollinate the plants as there were no bees etc.. He used a barometer to determine weather and when to go out on his canoe, He took 4-5 pairs of tennis shoes to fish of the sharp corral. He suffered major mental health issues due to being alone - I think he had mental health issues to start with. Why he dispatched all the pigs on the island is a bit strange.

The early pioneers took veg seed and livestock with them. Veg seed is a key to long-term survival.

 

[Hippophibia]

I have clothes and a blanket but I Vacuum packed mine, effectively halves the volume, especially of the wool/fleece items, plus even if I go for a swim with the bag on my back I know they will be dry.

also have a microfibre towel which would double as an extra blanket

I have purchased a number of ultralight dry bags for clothing, food, and sleeping system. There prices have come down quit a bit. Got a few extra from KMart Australia for $2 AUD for the 1l and $8 for the 15L good and sturdy but not ultralight, but the weight is minimal. I can now basically put the entire contents of INCH bag into various dry bags.

 

[Gazrok]

I don't envisage gangs of people hiding in the woods preying on people in the initial phases of calamity. My BoB is also separated into a tactical vest and large backpack. If a person is shooting at you ditch the pack and take action - there is always the possibility of returning and recover the pack.

So toying with the idea of having a fanny pack, with some foods in it, water flavorers, etc. (and having them be poisoned (some specific ones come to mind)). So, if I encounter someone posing such a threat, I can flee leaving the fanny pack for them... Hoping they just go for the no risk, easy score instead. (then maybe track them back to their place and wait for the bastard to die...) But, I'm not sure I'm quite that evil yet.

 

[WilliamShatner]

So toying with the idea of having a fanny pack, with some foods in it, water flavorers, etc. (and having them be poisoned (some specific ones come to mind)). So, if I encounter someone posing such a threat, I can flee leaving the fanny pack for them... Hoping they just go for the no risk, easy score instead. (then maybe track them back to their place and wait for the bastard to die...) But, I'm not sure I'm quite that evil yet.

That is feindish!

 

[Kevin L]

With my BOB, I'm always substituting and changing things as I learn and grow.

It will always be a work in progress.

I'm currently using a Kelty Tioga external frame pack, which I think highly of because of my backpacking experience.

In terms of clothing, I keep it simple: lots of socks, spare pair of jungle boots, and a pair of sandals. I also have a mesh mosquito suit, a high-end gortex rain suit, a backpack cover, form fitting boxer shorts, a pair of shorts, 2 t-shirts, and a pair of jeans. Paracord. Also a sewing kit.

I have a Leatherman tool, a stainless Next Generation Ka-bar, an AR-7 rifle with 5 mags, cleaning kit, and 700 rds. ammo, Glock 19 (Gen 4), 4 mags, 200 rds. 9mm ball ammo. Coleman hatchet.

Small 1 person bivy tent.

Medical stuff includes triple antibiotic ointment, Hibaclens surgical soap, ibuprophen, aspirin, Benadryl, sterile surgical gloves, activated charcoal, Zantac, Rolaids, lice shampoo and spray, toothbrushes, dental floss, baking soda, Tinactin, gauze, surgical tape, caffiene tablets, band-aids, vitamins, Cipro tablets, tetracycline capsules, insect repellant, some other things.

Foodwise, I have peanut butter, envelope-style tuna, beef jerky, some freeze-dried hiking food.

Fire come from several Bics, a Zippo (with fluid, wicks, and flints), a magnesium bar fire starter, magnifying glass, and flint strikers.

I have a Katadyn ceramic filter with spare parts and spare filter element. I also have a few collapsible water bottles. I also have tincture of iodine instead of tablets, since I can use tincture of iodine to treat wounds and purify water.

I have a small stainless steel hiking pot with lid, a spork, and Dr. Bonner's castille soap, which is good for clothes, dishes, dogs, and people.

I have a combination hand-crank radio/flashlight, and a minimag light with AA batteries.

Also Gorilla Tape, Superglue, compass, and binoculars.

There are some other things. I usually keep lockpicks and shims in the BOB, maps, and also a few books.

It seems like a lot, but it's actually a lot lighter than soneone might think.

I've been debating whether I should add silver and/or gold coins to the pack.

I live in a very tropical environment, so I omit blankets and wool clothes.

 

[Sander]

For my area I would choose:

1. Thermal blanket
2. A T-shirt and a pair of socks. (Depending of season)
3. Second cellphone with headphones for radio and prepaid card (also a small battery bank) There is basically no area that is not covered with internet in Estonia.
Cellphone is also good for a second flashlight or GPS. You can also use it as a radio with headphones.
4. A small fishing kit - there are a lot's of smaller lakes and ponds to go fishing and gather some food.
5. Flaslight
6. 3 Liters of water
7. Canned meat and packed macaroni (salt, pepper sugar, instant coffee)
8. A tarp for shelter
9. Good knife and firesteel
10. First aid kit

 

[Squirtgunsquirter]

This is for bugging out? So, it's SHTF and I'm heading to the BOL.

Call it a 3 hour trip by vehicle. 3 days on foot, carrying a decent amount of weight. 6 days by water, the river is bendy.

I won't carry more than 45 pounds.

Whatever the mode of travel...
1. Shelter. Ultralight tent, or hammock.
2. Silnylon or lightweight tarp.
3. Camp stove. Whatever, as long as it's small, light, and works.
4. A few meals worth of freeze dried meals and some instant oatmeal packs.
5. Water filter.
6. Sleeping bag.
7. Some odds and ends. Multitool, flashlight, some batteries, passport and I.D.'s, tourniquet, small first aid kit, paper map, gallon Ziploc bags, compass.
8. Bag of tobacco, and rolling papers.
9. Couple extra magazines for pistol and rifle.
10. Nothing, in case I find something.

If it's more than a few days, I should have put together an I.N.C.H bag. But I couldn't in my case, all that stuff is already at the BOL.

Bug Out bags provide fuel for endless conversation. Which I'm not against.

I don't count armor, rifle, pistol, knife, mags. All that is a given.

And the weight of those things mean no carried water, no wet rations, no long term survival items.

I'm bugging out?

I have a destination, and multiple mapped routes to get there.

 

[Kevin L]

This is for bugging out? So, it's SHTF and I'm heading to the BOL.

Call it a 3 hour trip by vehicle. 3 days on foot, carrying a decent amount of weight. 6 days by water, the river is bendy.

I won't carry more than 45 pounds.

Whatever the mode of travel...
1. Shelter. Ultralight tent, or hammock.
2. Silnylon or lightweight tarp.
3. Camp stove. Whatever, as long as it's small, light, and works.
4. A few meals worth of freeze dried meals and some instant oatmeal packs.
5. Water filter.
6. Sleeping bag.
7. Some odds and ends. Multitool, flashlight, some batteries, passport and I.D.'s, tourniquet, small first aid kit, paper map, gallon Ziploc bags, compass.
8. Bag of tobacco, and rolling papers.
9. Couple extra magazines for pistol and rifle.
10. Nothing, in case I find something.

If it's more than a few days, I should have put together an I.N.C.H bag. But I couldn't in my case, all that stuff is already at the BOL.

Bug Out bags provide fuel for endless conversation. Which I'm not against.

I don't count armor, rifle, pistol, knife, mags. All that is a given.

And the weight of those things mean no carried water, no wet rations, no long term survival items.

I'm bugging out?

I have a destination, and multiple mapped routes to get there.

Why tobacco and rolling papers?

I know why I might carry pipe tobacco and/or chewing tobacco. I use moist tobacco to remove leeches. I also include run-resistant panty hose in case I need to wade through stagnant water, as leeches supposedly can't bite through it.

I don't smoke, and I would warn against this post SHTF. Carrying a pack and needing to move requires cardiovascular fitness, and smoking will slow you down.