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A bug out bag is hard to put together. The reason for that is because it is hard to keep a balance between these 3 things:
- Prioritize the more important items
- Keep the bug out bag light enough that you can carry it comfortably for couple of hours or more
- Make sure that your bug out bag’s contents are sturdy enough for an emergency that might involve running, getting them wet, dropping them, etc
- Make sure that you can afford the bug out bag items
The diagram above shows you the most important bug out bag features and how they interact with each other. A lot of survival guides recommend B.O.B. items that are:
Table Of Contents
Low-Quality B.O.B Items
- Example: radio with solar panel flashlight & smartphone charger. While it sounds good in theory, the solar panels take literally days to charge a small percentage of a smartphone battery. Also, the device has not been extensively tested for field use and might stop working when you need it most.
High Priced B.O.B. Items
- Example: A nice lightweight backpack that you can purchase for $600. It might even be worth spending the money if you plan to use it regularly for camping, hiking or making a fashion statement. If not, you can buy a very similar one for $250-$300
Heavy B.O.B. Items
- On their quest to get commissions for your purchases (everyone’s gotta make a living somehow), they forget to tell you that you won’t be able to drag your 120 lbs backpack for very long
Useless B.O.B. Items
- Some items they feature are only meant for situations that are very unlikely (read almost impossible) to happen. Actually, you either cannot purchase some of the most important items for your bug out bag (besides the backpack itself) – emergency plan with escape routes, document copies, cash or you already have those items (prescription medicine, jewelry, electronics, other valuables).
72 Hours Bug Out Bag Checklist
The following are the most essential B.O.B. items. You should probably add your own items that are fit for the area in which you live, family items, etc.
- Backpack – lightweight, waterproof has hip belt
- Bug out plan (including maps, escape routes, meeting places, etc), copies of important documents & money
- Prescription medicine
- Pain reliever & fever reducer
- Acid reducer & allergy medicine (as needed)
- Dust and pollen mask
- Water filter & water purification tablets
- Emergency food & lightweight cooking gear
- Instant coffee
- All weather fire starter
- First aid kit (add items that are missing)
- Multi-tool
- Survival knife
- Paracord
- Survival hatchet
- Power bank
- Tactical flashlight
- Lightweight tent
- Lightweight sleeping bag
- Waterproof gloves
- Radio
- Compass
- Binoculars
- Electronics (smartphones, tablets, etc) – put in large Ziploc bag, wrap with clothes to protect from shock
- Duct tape
- Toilet paper
- Feminine hygiene products
- Pet food (72 hours)
- Jewelry & other valuables (hide well)
- Clothes & rain poncho
- Add these to the first aid kit (if it doesn’t have them already) – antibiotic cream, children pain reliever/fever reducer, sunscreen, small hand sanitizer, insect repellent, bandages
B.O.B. Checklist PDF
