Bug-Out Bag Inventory

Yesterday was the best time to create a bug-out bag, if you don't have one already; today’s the second-best.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed. Don’t listen to affiliate-link sites that promise you can pack everything you need for 72 hours in any scenario. You can never pack everything. Don’t let perfect get in the way of good. Any bug-out bag is better than none, even if it’s just a tote bag with a few camping supplies.

My bag isn’t perfect, but it’s better than nothing. I don’t remember what brand it is, but it’s some kind of camping backpack with the handy Molle straps on the outside for strapping on additional packs. I’m not a prepper; I don’t plan on trying to make it solo in any kind of emergency. I expect to be able to rely on my local community and partners. I focused on a mix of immediate concerns, tools to keep minor injuries out of a potentially overwhelmed medical system, and things that other people may not think to grab on their way out of an emergency.

Here’s what’s in it, currently, from outermost to innermost compartments:

First-aid kit. I don’t have the brand but any kit is better than none. I focused on supplies for wound-tending and bleeding mitigation. It has tourniquets and large field dressings, tools for removing debris, Neosporin, etc. This kit is Molle-strapped to the outside of the bag for quick access.

— * (1) pack of playing cards. * (1) small notepad and pen. * (1) steel firestarter in a waterproof bag. * Small assortment of backup medications. I don’t have a great plan for backup meds because insurance is obsessed with barely getting me my refills on time, let alone facilitating extras. Something later down the list is supposed to potentially help with that.

— * (1) bottle of low-dose aspirin. * (1) bag of ibuprofen, labeled with exp. date (not that expiration dates are particularly important for medicine; don’t let the process of swapping them out daunt you. Most medicine simply loses effectiveness with time, but will not become dangerous) * (1) bag of Tylenol, labeled with exp. date. * (4) bags of vegetable seeds, in a waterproof bag. * Small amount of paper currency. * (2) bars of antibacterial soap.

— * Bushcraft Basics handbook. I like this text. It has common-sense skills for average people. It doesn’t take a hard-nosed, macho approach to survival. * Assorted masks: KN95, N95, and children’s sized KN95s. * (3) sets of plastic utensils with salt and pepper packets (the kind you can grab from cafeterias). * (5) sanitary pads. * (2) bars of antibacterial soap. * (4) large pane Tegaderm dressings. * (1) digital thermometer.

— * (5) sets of backup underwear. * (1) pair heavy-duty boltcutters. (See access to prescription medication.) * (1) max beam flashlight. * (1) small camping lantern. * (1) Sawyer Mini water filtration system. * (1) bottle Potable Aqua chemical filtration tablets. * (12) fire starter sticks. * (6) emergency rations. (These are expired. I should replace them but they are expensive.) * (6) gauze pads. * (3) waterproof ponchos, in bag. * (1) foldable, waterproof bag. * (6) cans medicated cat food. I’m not optimistic about being able to bring my cats in severe emergencies – they’re not trained to hop into a carrier and will probably hide. In the past I’ve omitted cat food because it adds weight but I want to be able to put out food if it becomes safe to return to the condo, or if I am able to bring them. * (1) bar antibacterial soap.

The whole thing weighs about 15 lb. It’s heavier than I’d be used to carrying but not outrageous.

Most materials inside are taken from things I already have around the house but want to have immediately handy if I need to leave in a hurry. If you’re going to spend money on a bug-out bag, I recommend spending on these things:

Camping backpack. You want to be able to distribute weight on your shoulders, and you want to have a bag you don’t need for anything else.
First-aid centered around wound dressing and bleeding mitigation. That’s the immediate need in most emergency situations. You should also take a stop-the-bleed course at some point in your life, along with CPR. Good knowledge to have in all situations!
Water filtration. This is the other immediate need that you don’t want to have to worry about.

This is mostly for me to keep track of my own stuff, but I hope it’s helpful for you, too!

Thanks for listening.