I think as a part of a holistic approach to self-protection we need to have contingencies for many threat types.
Threats can manifest themselves in many ways for instance it could be a self-defense situation against an armed hardened criminal, your car breaking down in the middle of nowhere, a public health crises, a natural disaster, or a terrorist attack among others such as a wilderness survival situation or a traumatic injury to you or a loved one, etc.
Where can you find the necessities for surviving one of these emergency situations? They should be with you because you are prepared.
In an earlier thread I talked about EDC or everyday carry today I want to talk about the “Bougout kit”.
Bugging out or bugging in for that matter is a matter of simple survival gear and supplies and the knowledge to use them. A bugout may happen in situations of weather related events such as what happened in Katrina or it maybe a wild fire or an earthquake or some other form of natural or manmade disaster.
Considerations:
Is it just you or do you have family (kids, elderly, pets) to take care of?
Can you be ready and out the door in 15 minutes?
Do you have at least two escape plans (short range & long range) in place? :
Bugin- Bugging in may occur during a Pandemic or economic collapse. Are you prepared for both short and long term considerations regarding food, water, medical supplies, etc? Do you have enough essential supplies and how connected are you to the grid? You may have to go for a while without electricity, running water, or sewage disposal.
In this discussion I will talk about short term supplies needed to bug out. Basically a short term supply list should give you all the essentials to survive for at least 72 hours in harsh environments.
Here is what I have finally settled on as to my personal bugout kit
Bugout kit
1. Small backpack (day pack).
2. 200 feet of Para cord
3. Assorted sizes of bungee cords
4. 3 ways to make fire (example- lighter, storm proof matches, magnesium striker)
5. Fire starter (example cotton balls soaked in Vaseline kept in a film canister)
6. 1 compass
7. Maps (current maps for the area you are in or intend to be in).
8. 1 large utility knife w/sharpening stone
9. 1 multipurpose tool
10. 1 flash light with extra batteries
11. 1 broad brimmed hat
12. 1
pr. wool socks
13. 1 change of underwear
14. 1 skull cap
15. 1
pr. of gloves
16. 1. non cotton T-shirt
17. 1 emergency blanket
18. 1. light weight emergency sleeping bag
19. Poncho
20. Small first aid kit
21. MREs for thee days (72hrs)
22. 2 extra magazines for firearms
23. 2 two way radios (with extra batteries)
24. Tent stakes (good for building poncho shelters)
25. 1 canister/canteen (for water)
26. Aqua tabs (iodine tablets for H2O purification)
27. Small sewing kit
28. Fishing line with hooks
29. Signal mirror
30. Duct tape
31. Sunscreen
32. Garbage bags (2)
33. Toilet paper
34. hand sanitizer (like purel)
Here is an example of what a bugout kit may look like: