Whether it is epic flooding or the zombie apocalypse, you can be prepared for any emergency with a customised bugout bag. What are the must-have items for your bag? The answer is:
that depends. It depends on your location, what type of disaster you are preparing for, and what you can do without and still be comfortable enough to survive. Instead of listing individual items, let’s look at 10 categories you should consider when creating your bugout bag.
1) Water - You can go for weeks without food, but only a few days without water. Include drinking water, a canteen, and purification tablets. A LifeStraw is an extremely efficient portable water filter solution, handy for any bugout bag.
2) Food – Plan on a week’s worth of lightweight, non-perishables that can be stored for some time, such as dehydrated meals and energy bars. A small fishing kit and snare wire are useful for longer term food needs. Don’t forget utensils!
3) Clothing – You should have two changes of clothing so you always have something dry to wear – not just for comfort, but to prevent hypothermia as well. A bandanna can be used for everything from heat relief to emergency bandaging.
4) Fire – You should include multiple fire starters – a lighter, matches, and flint. For instant tinder, pack a container of cotton balls coated with petroleum jelly.
5) Shelter – Your odds of survival are better if you have a dry and warm place to sleep, so having a lightweight tent and sleeping bag is a good idea. Plastic bags (that can be filled with leaves or straw on location) and a tarp are another way to provide cover and bedding.
6) Light – Roughly 12 out of 24 hours are dark, so D=don’t rely on just one light source. Pack several flashlights (and extra batteries). An LED key-chain light is a handy backup.
7) First Aid – Your kit should have assorted sizes of band aids, including moleskin for protecting blisters, antibiotics and antiseptics, and, if possible, epinephrine for severe reactions to stings, bites, and allergies. Don’t forget to include any medications you may need.
8) Communication – A hand-cranked portable radio can keep you up-to-date on weather, news, and emergency bulletins. If you will be in a group, walkie talkies are valuable.
9) Tools – Weight is an issue here. A machete, knife, and a good multi-tool should be sufficient.
10) Weapons – For zombies (as well as other threats) a club or baseball bat (studded with spikes or not), is a handy defence, and it has the added advantage of not requiring ammunition. For any situation, a 12-gauge shotgun or a .22 caliber rifle is versatile enough for protection and to bring down a wide variety of game. A lightweight reliable handgun, such as a 9mm, along with extra ammunition is a useful backup.
Bonus Category - Miscellaneous
Parachute cord is particularly useful as it is durable, strong, and can be adapted for multiple uses. Duct tape’s reputation for fixing anything is no exaggeration. Since you won’t have time to visit the local ATM (even it was functioning), coins and small bills should be stashed in your bag. A sewing kit (which can double for emergency wound stitching if necessary), an N95 face mask, binoculars, sunglasses (as well as sunscreen, depending on the region and time of year), and tubing (for tying and use as a siphon) are all useful, but not vital.
Don’t forget to inspect your bugout bag at least once a year to make sure everything is in good working order and not out of date. With just a little preparation, you will be ready to face anything – even the undead.
