Bug Out Bag (aka: Ultimate Survival Kit)
Be Prepared. For Anything.
(17)H) Otterbox 2500 ($21)
If it comes down to evacuation from your location, you’ll need to bring along some important documents (or at least copies of them). The Otterbox is big enough to hold a passport/birth certificate, cell phone, digital camera, thumb drive, and many other things that need to stay dry. The box is also light and small enough to be easily carried in your pack.
I) 3M 8979 Duct Tape ($6)
Regardless of what specific situation may arise, there is always a need for duct tape. The 8979 3M Duct Tape is of the highest quality and can be removed up to six months later with no left over residue.
J) Gerber LMF II: The knife that will save your ass. ($220)
When it comes to survival, a knife is absolutely essential, and Gerber’s LMF II is the top of the line. The knife has a thick body and sharp edge, which were designed for pilots to cut the fuselage of a helicopter in an emergency. The sheath has a built in sharpener as well as lashing system which will easily attach to a belt, leg, or the MOLLE loops on T.H.E. Pack. On the base of the handle is one of the most amazing parts of this knife, a plexi-glass punch. This is great if you need to escape from a vehicle or bust through window and the base also doubles as a hammer if needed. Lastly, there are two small holes near the base of the blade which can be used for fashioning a spear.
K) Datrex Rations ($5) & Mountain House ($6)
When it comes to food, I opted for lightweight items that are calorie efficient. Datrex has created a well-balanced ration that has a remarkable similarity to coconut-flavored Girl Scout cookies. The little cookie-like bars have all the vitamins and nutrients your body needs. If you’ve done any backpacking, you’re definitely familiar with the dehydrated food pouches from Mountain House. Simply boil some water, add it to the pouch, and a tasty meal has been born.
L) Chemlight: Not Just For Trick or Treating ($10, per 10 pack)
Chemical light sticks are a great backup for your flash light. They last about 12 hours and can be used for signaling or marking your campsite.
M) Leatherman Wave ($85)
Les Stroud, Survivorman, doesn’t go into the field without a Leatherman Wave. This is one of the classic Leatherman models, and provides a ton of necessary tools in a small package. Just about all the luxuries you’d find in a Swiss Army knife have been placed within the much more ergonomic Wave. Pliers, scissors, screwdriver, blades (serrated and straight edge), and a handful of other goodies are included; what more do you need?
N) Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
You won’t find this in the Red Cross Survival Manual, but alcohol, tobacco, and firearms are some of the most important items in my survival bag. The firearms will provide protection and potentially some food. If you get evacuated from your house, chances are good you’ll be in the mood for a drink. The tobacco will ease the stress, and nicotine will keep you awake (this could be vital depending on the situation).
In conclusion, it all comes down to being prepared. In addition to the items I’ve listed above, take a look at the Red Cross List to complete your kit. Make a plan with your loved ones a keep a cool when the crap hits the fan; help will come, but it may take awhile.
What items are in your survival kit? Let me know via the comments section.
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Love the A.T.F. addition!
As a follow up to my recent post on Neil Strauss's Emergency (http://gearpatrol.com/blog/2009/04/24/emergency-t... here's a link to Strauss's own Bug Out Bag and its contents: http://neilstrauss.com/fliesian/bugout.html
Great information, I have been slack in putting together a survival kit, thanks for supplying the motivation to do so.
nice! with the addition of the alcohol, tobacco and firearms (though, i personally don't carry firearms…maybe i should consider it) i do believe this is the most complete list i've ever seen!
i'm sure you guys are familiar with http://countycomm.com/index1.htm which is where i get some of my stuff. namely my split pea lighter and my flint stick. they have everything you could need and killer prices too.
Alan,
I am a huge fan of CountyComm, that place will burn a hole in your pocket if you're into "tactical" stuff.
-Jon
"Tactical" includes wolverine claws, right?
Haha only one's that are blacked out for stealth.
Dan, remind me to put you on my shortlist of people I'd want in my lifeboat.
just give me a call when the zombies come
do the insane women of New York qualify?
perfect timing. I've been working on my bug out bag for the last week. So far, i'm concentrating on the items that can fit into a .50 caliber ammo box. Works great and takes up no room in my trunk
Great idea but with the exception of the medic kits, datrex rations, and glow stick the rest is for a Hollywood premadonna stuck out in Sacramento.
As far as the pack goes, if your spending that money for a pack get one that has a hydration kid already built in. Such as Badlands Packs, the Diablo, buy the pack and extra hydration kit.
Binoculars are a definite need, see what's lurking up ahead before you become lurked. Something small yet durable, such as Nikon's Monarch ATB.
Next you need a real knife not some flimsy endorsed butter knife. Something that will stand up to your survival expectations, go for the SOG SEAL Pup Elite w/ Kydex Shield has part of the blade exposed for quick cuts w/o having to unholster your knife.
It is extremely important to make sure you always have a magnesium fire starter, water proof and will always provide a spark, and a personal favorite is the Model 60 Flint & Steel and Magnesium Fire Starter.
Lose the dorky miner's headlamp and get the Cyclops Orion 5 LED Hat Clip Light, more realistic and a good survival pack should always include a good hat.
Finally, you need to have a GPS and a few batteries. A good GPS will tell you what time sunrise and sunset is, essential when having to build a make shift shelter. It will also help to track where you came in from if you ever get lost. My list could use a few more items but you get the gist of what it really takes to have a true survival bag.
Aaron,
Thanks for reading Gear Patrol and commenting. It's always great to get feedback from our readers. I obviously can't speak for Dan, but I do share his interest in this area. Your suggestions are great and would make good additions to any BOB. Obviously there are always things you can add to a BOB to make it better. That SOG knife is great though, perfect for cutting paracord or fishing line hassle free. And a boonie hat would be in my bag since I look like Casper the ghost. I have to say discounting things like a leatherman, ponho, or an otterbox seems shortsighted to me. A leatherman is a hugely useful tool in everyday life never the less a survival situation. The poncho and otterbox fill one of the most important needs when surviving…staying dry, and considering Global Warming and Hurricane Katrina it stands to reason getting wet is a big possibility. Hypothermia kills Hollywood premadonna's and survivalists alike.
Lastly you have to consider for the vast majority of people a BOB would get used in an Urban or Suburban environment after a natural or man made disaster, and really is only meant for 72 hrs. As such they don't need the set up someone in a rural environment does, and they'll have the ability to do some urban "foraging" if need be. Your BOB needs to be tailored to your environment whether that be Hollywood or central Maine. Check out this thread from the EDC Forums on a BOB vs. Bag of Evil that's pretty interesting http://edcforums.com/index.php?topic=27881.0
Keep reading and keep commenting!
-Jon
I most definitely agree that it must be tailored to the overall specifications of the user and their environment. I agree that there are the great beneficial uses for the items I left out as well, especially the leatherman. Thanks for the comment and article!
wow! what a great response from everyone! this really was a ton of fun to build and thanks for all the comments! @aaron good thoughts on the GPS and the SOG Seal is a fantastic knife! @jon_gaffey i'm definitely going to check out that bag of evil!
Dan,
Great article! Let me know what you think of that Bag of Evil.
-Jon
This is great! I recently had a road emergency that had me stranded for several hours, late at night, in the middle of nowhere. And believe it or not my cell phone gave out and I hat to walk several miles to contact someone. Although it was nothing alarming, during the walk it got me thinking of just this. Would I survive in a real emergency and more importantly, I am prepared?! I mean, I am a Boy Scout. Does that count? Anyway, as usual I'm here at the old GP and you guys got me covered. Time to dust off my handbook. Thanks guys!
I have the SOL 3 and the only thing I don't like is the lack of real 550 cord. They supply "cord" but real 550 is always better. Have it on you, all the time!
http://scottsknotsstore.com/Survival.html
scooter, i have a 550 landyard that came with the Army Ranger Rick kit (kinda hard to see but it is right in the middle of the photo next to the little triad stove). i too really enjoyed the SOL3 but when it comes down to it, you can't beat the 550 for practicality and strength.
kudos on the fire fob! that is a badass piece of gear! nice site and cool stitching!
-dan
Thanks Dan. Great bag, good writeup. Do you know about the survival kit contest going on at woodsmonkey.com? The prize is a Charlie May knife.
i did see the contest on woodsmonkey! that is a fantastic site with some great reviews. i see the prize also includes a lanyard and survival bracelet from scottsknots
Aaron,
I think your suggestions are great and thanks for the input. I'm not sure if you aware of it, but we're actually now taking article submissions from readers like you, and if you've got other ideas on outdoor/survival gear that you'd like to share with the community by all means write something up and <submit it</a>. We love the fact that guys such as yourself take the time to read our site, and firmly believe that's what makes Gear Patrol's community different.
-Ben.
Bug out bag. Try to take foods that do not take water to prepare, I see so many bug out
bags with things like, instant oatmeal, hot chocolate & soups. The water should be for
drinking & take vitamins & protein bars. I also take a bottle of fiber, not only is
fiber needed but it also swells for a full feeling. I came across what is called
Lifecaps. They are a capsule that has everything needed to survive without food with
the exception of water. It is full of vitamins & minerals plus Iodine. Anyway, you take
three of them a day & drink water. I can actually take enough food in one backpack to
last 6 months because of these little Lifecaps, protein bars, fiber & water. I will run
out of water in a week so I do carry a small filter & a couple of those straw water
filters that filter the water as you suck.
You do not always have the ability or time to heat water to make soup or oatmeal. Anyway,
after I bought 25 bottles I found a coupon code & bought 75 bottles more. The coupon code
is… healthcap It will get you 33% off. There are also sites that have those filter straws
that are cheaper than any of the stores around here. (SLC) I think they are a really good
idea along with some purification pills. I cannot remember the sites off the top of my head
but you can Google for aquamira filter straw. Aquamira is the manufacture but do not buy
off there site because I have found them for almost 1/2 what they want on their own site
on other sites. Ipecac is also a great idea to have on hand Good luck, Gods speed & get serious about your bug out bag!
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Great stuff in that bag Dan. I'd like to mention I always keep a SAM Splint in my bag as well. Its a great all purpose splint that's moldable and something you can easily cut with scissors. Its the most popular emergency splint in the world and when in a real bind, you can mold it into a makeshift beer cuzzi.
Dan, what's your snail-mail, you need another item for your bag
Been busy at work and doing the knots, just now getting back to this thread.
Some good ideas here except for the GPS. What happens when you run out of batteries or your solar charge breaks? I'd rather have a compass on me then answer that question.
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