Equipped for Emergencies: Bug-in and Bug-out Bag Basics

INTRODUCTION

Two tornadoes tore through our city in May of 2020. While our house was unscathed, one of the twisters trashed the power transformer three blocks away from us. Many people in our neighborhood heard it when it exploded in the chaos, putting us all in sudden darkness with screaming winds around us.

One of the many things that I have learned from being in the military for over 30 years is that very few battles were won under ideal circumstances. We had to face the unknown, time and time again, under tough conditions to complete our missions. It was those situations under fire that forced us to flourish or flounder.

We learned to love the process of preparing for the worst while hoping for the best! We equipped ourselves for emergencies and practiced dealing with disasters and deploying to safe surroundings, when needed.

There are two main categories for disaster preparedness: Bug-in or Bug-out. The bottom line is that bugging in is always the most preferred response for an emergency. Bugging out means that your situation is severe, forcing you to leave your home to seek refuge elsewhere.

EXTREME ENVIRONMENT RULES OF 3 SURVIVAL PRIORITIES

You can survive for:

3 Minutes without air

3 Hours without shelter in a harsh environment

3 Days without water

3 Weeks without food

The main principle of the Rules of 3 is to simplify your priorities during a disaster.

BUG-IN BAGS

TECH CASE (STEEL CASE, MILITARY SURPLUS)

1. Restored Ammunition Box, Steel, Medium
2. Faraday Sheet, Large
3. Dry Sack, Large
4. Lithium Battery, 2,000mA, Hand Crank, Eton
5. Lithium Battery, 100Wh, Goal Zero
6. Solar Panel, 20-Watt, Goal Zero
7. AC Charger, 15.3 Volt, 3 Amp, Goal Zero
8. Lithium Batteries, 1.5 Volt, AA
9. Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries, NiMH, 1.2 Volt, AA and AAA
10. Handheld 2-way CB Radios (2 each)
11. Handheld 2-way GMRS Radios (2 each)
12. Radio, Hand Crank, Eton
13. DC Voltage Adapter
14. DC Charger, AA
15. Solar Charger, AA
16. Light Kit with Lithium Battery and Goal Zero lights
17. Emergency Kit, Small
18. International Hot Spot, Solis
19. Headlamp
20. USB External Drive (Personal documents and back-up files)

DOWNLOAD THE PDF!

SURVIVAL CASE (HARD CASE, PELICAN)

1. Pelican Case, Medium, with Foam
2. First Aid Kit
3. Rescue Breathing Mask
4. Sunscreen
5. Insect repellent
6. Multi-tool
7. Knife, Large, with blade sharpener
8. Headlamp, or Flashlight (batteries stored separately to maintain power)
9. Light Sticks, Cyalume
10. Paracord
11. Rations, Long-term Storage (MRE or similar)
12. Camping Stove
13. Camping Candle
14. Hand Crank Generator, 12 Volt
15. Mobile Phone Dry Bag
16. Duct Tape
17. Wind-resistant Lighter
18. Water Purification Tablets
19. Fire Extinguisher
20. Super Glue

STORED SEPARATELY (WRAPPED IN FARADAY MATERIALS)

Generator, 2,000-Watt, with Sine Wave Inverter, Ryobi

STORED SEPARATELY

Water, 5-gallon bottles (1 bottle for each family member)

DOWNLOAD THE PDF!

BUG-OUT BAGS

72-HOUR BAG (BACKPACK, LARGE)

1. First Aid Kit
2. Insect Repellent
3. Sunscreen
4. N95 or higher respirator mask
5. Gloves, Heavy Duty
6. Zip Ties
7. Hat
8. Water, at least 100 oz.
9. Water purifier
10. Rations, Long-term Storage (MRE or similar)
11. Spork (Stainless Steel)
12. Compass
13. Storm Whistle
14. Sunglasses
15. Toilet paper
16. Spare socks in a Ziplock
17. Hand sanitizer
18. Lip balm
19. Wet wipes
20. Duct Tape
21. Super Glue
22. Rain Poncho
23. Bandana or Gator
24. Blanket, Compact
25. Headlamp
26. Flashlight, Lantern
27. Lithium Battery, 100Wh, Goal Zero
28. Solar Panel, 20-Watt, Goal Zero
29. Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries, NiMH, 1.2 Volt, AA and AAA
30. Handheld 2-way GMRS Radios (2 each)
31. Cash
32. Passport and Driver’s License
33. Birth Certificate (Copies only)
34. Local and State Maps
35. Survival Book
36. Hygiene items
37. Medicine items
38. Prepaid Mobile Phone
39. GPS
40. Binoculars (optional)

120-HOUR BAG (DUFFLE BAG, LARGE)

Note: This is added to the 72-hour Bag, if expected to be remote for longer periods of time.

1. Blanket
2. Sleeping Bag
3. Pillow, Compact
4. Air Mattress or Cot
5. Tarp
6. Tent and stakes
7. Hammer and Wrecking Bar Combination
8. Cot
9. Camping Stove
10. Camping Candle
11. Wind-resistant Lighter
12. Water Purification Tablets
13. Rain Poncho
14. Spare Clothes
15. Fire Extinguisher, Mini

Special Remarks: Keep your items dry by lining your backpack and duffle bag with thick garbage bags, before you place your items from your packing list inside. If you get rained on, the pack may get wet but the items inside will remain dry.

Get more free training and tips at @sgtkenw.