Filling your Bug Out Bag

A Bug Out Bag is for people who want to get out of town in an hurry. Other names for such a bag are a BOB, 72-hour kit, a grab bag, a battle box, a Personal Emergency Relocation Kits (PERK), a go bag or a GOOD bag (Get Out Of Dodge) INCHBAG (I'm Never Coming Home Bag). The most commonly used term however is simply "Bug Out Bag".

Essentially the concept of a bug out bag is for when you need to leave in an hurry and you want to grab everything you need all at once. So instead of spending an hour looking for things and stuffing everything into your bag, you have a prepared bag which is ready to go - which you just grab and go immediately.

The suggested contents of a bug out bag vary depending on the website or group which prepared the list, but the commonly quoted items are as follows...

Enough water to last for 72 hours. In Canada the recommended amount is 2 litres per person per day for drinking plus an additional 2 litres per person per day for cleaning and hygiene. So 12 litres of water (12 kg) will add quite a bit of weight to your bag and make it quite bulky in an hurry. To save space many people only pack 2 litres of water with the intention of finding water as they go along - but that water could be contaminated by radioactive nuclear fallout dust.

Non-perishable food for 72 hours.

Water purification and sanitation supplies (toilet paper, etc).

Cooking supplies.

A first aid kit.

Fire starting tool (eg. matches, ferrocerium rod, lighter, etc).

A pocket survival guide.

Map of the region you are in, including waterways and railway tracks.

Camping equipment.

Weather appropriate clothing (eg. poncho, headwear, gloves, etc).

Sleeping bag and blankets.

Any medicine you require for 72 hours or more.

Battery or crank-operated radio.

Flashlight (crank or batteries) or glow sticks.

Cash and change.

Positive identification, such as passport, birth certificate, drivers license or social security card.

Fixed-blade and / or folding knife.

Small tool kit.

Duct tape, rope and / or fishing line.

Plastic tarps for shelter and water collection.

Compass.

Optional Weapon / Hunting / Fishing Gear (eg. slingshot, pellet gun, firearms + ammo, archery equipment, crossbow, etc).