Essential Bug-Out Bag Tips: Prepare, Pack, and Stay Ready for Emergencies

Send us a text

Do you know what it takes to be truly prepared for an emergency? Dive into this episode of Survival Sense, where we break down the critical essentials for building your own bug-out bag (BOB). Learn how to categorize and prioritize items like water purification systems, non-perishable food, weather-appropriate clothing, and advanced first aid supplies to ensure you have what you need when it matters most. We’ll also touch on the importance of a multi-tool, flashlight, and small denominations of cash, giving you comprehensive guidance on why these items are indispensable.

But preparation doesn't stop at just packing your BOB. In the second chapter, we share essential tips for maintaining and updating your kit to keep it ready for any scenario. With a free emergency supplies list and a community-driven initiative for sharing tips and questions, we aim to keep you engaged and ready. Tune in to find out how to keep your survival gear in top shape, and don’t forget to subscribe for more invaluable tips. Stay safe and stay prepared!


Emergency Kit Supplies 

Email me at: [e-mail]

Free Hurricane Prep Guide

Episode resources: SAS Survival Handbook

Click HERE to check out all of the cool survival gear that Survival Frog has to offer!

This description may include affiliate links.
Assume that I will receive a commission from anything you buy from a link in the description at no added expense to you.

Episode Transcript

Keith Thomas (00:33):
Thank you very much.
Welcome to Survival Sense, yourgo-to podcast for everything
disaster preparedness.
I'm your host, keith Thomas,and today we're going to talk
about a crucial aspect ofdisaster preparedness building
your bug out bag.
Whether you're new to preppingor a seasoned survivalist, stay

(00:53):
tuned for a comprehensive guideon what you need and why you
need it.
Remember you can send yourquestions and feedback via our
Send Us a Text Message linkprovided in the show notes.
We'd love to hear from you.
First things first, let's definewhat a bug-out bag or BOB is.

(01:17):
A bug-out bag, also known as ago-bag, is a portable kit that
contains all the items you willneed to survive for at least 72
hours in case of an emergency.
The goal is to have everythingyou need in one place so you can
grab it and go at a moment'snotice.

(01:38):
Your bug out bag should becustomized to your personal
needs, the specific risk in yourarea and the type of
emergencies you're most likelyto face.
It's not a one-size-fits-allsolution, so consider factors
like your climate, terrain andany special medical needs

(02:09):
special medical needs.
Let's dive into the essentialitems every bug out bag should
have.
We'll break it down intocategories for easier
understanding.
Our first category is water andhydration.
You'll need at least one gallonof water per person per day for
three days.
With that in mind, think24-pack of 16.9-ounce water

(02:37):
bottles, plastic water bottles.
It's a lot of weight and if youhave to have one of those 24-p
packs per person, that's a lotof weight to carry.
So I suggest maybe some of thesmaller pouches or boxes of

(02:58):
water to carry enough to rationfor three days, to carry enough
to ration for three days.
And then the next item underthis category that you're going

(03:19):
to need is some type of waterfiltration system and this can
be the type that hikers use thatcan filter large quantities of
water over a couple hours, orwhatever.
It could be as simple as aLifeStraw type purification

(03:41):
device.
Usually these will screw onto awater bottle so you can
actually fill a water bottle outof a stream, put the filter on
and filter your water that way.
You also want some otherportable means of water
purification, such aspurification tablets, and we'll
get into some more waterpurification stuff in a later

(04:03):
episode.
Purification stuff in a laterepisode.
And with that said, with thewater filters, you're going to
need some type of collapsiblewater bottles to have to store
water.
In.
Our next category is food andnutrition.
This is going to benon-perishable food items like

(04:28):
granola bars, dried fruit,canned goods.
In order to prepare those,you're probably going to need
some type of a portable stoveand fuel or a solid fuel source,
and you're also going to needcooking utensils and a small

(04:54):
cooking pot.
I would suggest a smallsingle-person mess kit to go
along with that.
And as far as food, just toback up a little bit here, in
most cases you can get thefreeze-dried or dehydrated kits

(05:16):
that come for like hikers, orthe survival food kits.
You can usually buy thoseseparately at different places.
You can get enough of those tolast for three days, you know,
for however many people are inyour party, it takes up less
room.

(05:36):
They're much easier to preparebecause in general they only
require some water and a heatsource with a pot to cook in.

(06:01):
Our next category is clothingand shelter, and here you'll
need a change of clothesappropriate for the season that
we're in.
You'll need sturdy, comfortableshoes or boots, and here's the
season.
You'll need sturdy, comfortableshoes or boots.

(06:23):
Chances are, if you're buggingout, you may wind up bugging out
on foot versus in a vehicle.
You'll need aweather-appropriate sleeping bag
or blanket and a tent or tarpto use for shelter.
Our next category is first aidand medical supplies.

(06:52):
This is going to include abasic first aid kit with
bandages, antiseptics and painrelievers.
Be sure to carry along yourprescription medications, and

(07:14):
you also want to keep a smallbag with your personal hygiene
items like toothpaste, soap andhand sanitizer.
Our next category are tools andgear.
I suggest a multi-tool or aknife.

(07:38):
You'll also want a flashlightwith extra batteries or a hand
crank flashlight.
You may also consider headlampsor lanterns small battery or
gas powered lanterns to have forlighting.

(08:05):
You'll need paracord or sometype of strong rope, and then
duct tape and a sewing kit.

(08:28):
Our next category are importantdocuments and cash.
If you've been with us for awhile, you know we talk about,
especially in the financialemergency episode.
We talk about keeping a lot ofpersonal documents together, as

(08:49):
well as in the family emergencyplan episode.
This is going to be your ID,your passport, any important
insurance documents, anyimportant financial documents

(09:12):
that you feel like you may need.
Probably the best thing to domaybe we'll do an episode later
on is how to put together abinder with all these things in
it, so you just grab this binderor shove the binder into your
bug out bag and it's alltogether.
You're also going to need cash.

(09:33):
We suggest, in smalldenominations, $20 or less
denominations, $20 or lessdenominations.
And our last category iscommunication and navigation.
This can be as simple as abattery-powered or hand-cranked

(09:54):
radio, just to kind of get newsfeeds to be able to hear what's
going on out in the world.
We suggest a whistle to signalfor help and maps of your local

(10:15):
area.
I would suggest having streetmaps as well as topographic maps
of your area.
Now that we've covered thebasics, let's talk about some

(10:36):
items that go beyond theessentials, and these can
enhance your survival chancesand make your experience more
manageable.
The first category is advancedfirst aid items, and this would
include things like a tourniquet, hemostatic agents for clotting

(10:57):
blood and a more comprehensivefirst aid manual to keep with
you.
The next category are comfortitems a small pillow or
inflatable cushion, earplugs, aneye mask in order to get better
sleep.
The next category some of thesuggested items for additional

(11:23):
tools and gadgets are a solarcharger for electronics, backup
batteries for your electronics,a pair of binoculars and maybe a
small portable solar panel.
The next category isentertainment and morale is

(11:48):
entertainment and morale.
This could be as simple as adeck of cards or a small book
and a pen and journal.
Maybe you write down, you knowwhat's going on and what you've
had to go through.
And then our last category hereon advanced advanced.

(12:12):
On.
Our last category here istraining and skills resources,
and here we're talking abouteither paperback or hardback,
survival guides and manuals.

(12:33):
Maybe pick out the best, whatyou feel are the best and most
informative, that cover a widevariety of situations, as well
as printed instructions forimportant survival techniques.

(12:56):
Having a bug-out bag is just thefirst step.
Maintaining it is crucial.
Here are some tips to ensureyour bug-out bag is always ready
Regularly check and replaceexpired items, especially food

(13:21):
and medications.
Update your bag seasonally toensure clothing and supplies are
appropriate for the currentweather.
Periodically review andpractice using the items in your
bag so you're familiar withthem in an emergency.
And, lastly, tailor your bag toyour current needs and

(13:43):
situation.
This can include any changes inhealth or family circumstances.
Well, that's all I have fortoday's episode on building your
bug-out bag.
And remember preparation is keyto survival.

(14:05):
Take the time to create abug-out bag that fits your needs
and keep it updated.
I've included a link to a freeemergency supplies list in the
show notes to help you getstarted.
If you have any questions orwant to share your bug out bag
essentials, don't hesitate toreach out through our send us a

(14:25):
text message link provided inthe show notes.
We'd love to hear your thoughtsand experiences and don't
forget to subscribe to SurvivalSense for more tips and
strategies on disasterpreparedness.
And if you found this episodehelpful, please leave us a
review and share it with yourfriends.
Stay safe and stay preparedUntil next time.

(14:49):
I keith thomas signing off.