What is a Bug Out Bag?

A bug out bag (BOB) is a pre-packed emergency survival kit designed to help you sustain yourself for at least a  few days during a crisis. The general idea is that if something happens that you need to evacuate your home immediately, you will have everything you need already packed and can just grab the bag as you walk out the door. Whether it’s a natural disaster, power outage, civil unrest, or forced evacuation, a well-prepared bug out bag ensures you can move quickly and stay safe until help is available or you reach a safe location.

Tips for Building a Bug Out Bag

• Keep it lightweight: aim for 15–25 pounds
• Use a durable, water-resistant backpack
• Rotate food, water, and batteries every 6 months
• Customize for your climate, region, and personal needs

What to Pack in a Bug Out Bag

A bug out bag is planned to keep you supplied for the next few days in the event of an emergency. This means that it needs to be packed with the minimum essentials you will need for that length of time. As such, there is no right or wrong thing to put in a bug out bag; they should and will vary from person to person. There are a few generally good things to make sure you pack, though.

1. Water and Hydration

Ideally a person should drink about 2 liters of water per day. You can get some water intake from other sources, such as food or other drinks you may find as you go, so you likely don’t drink this much water. In an emergency situation you can ration water somewhat further, but you don’t want to ration too much because dehydration can be dangerous. 1–2 liters of bottled water are a minimum to pack, and add a portable water filter and purification tablets so you can create more water as needed.

2. Food and Nutrition

Maintaining your strength is key in emergency situations, and food is the fuel for your body. You will want to make sure you have a variety of food that won’t spoil at room temperature. The food should be ready to eat with no cooking or minimal cooking, and since these bags are packed ahead of time (sometimes significantly ahead of time) long lasting food is preferable. Also, keep in mind you will have to carry the food you pack, so things that are lightweight, such as dehydrated and powdered foods, will take up less space and be easier to lug around. MREs (meals ready to eat) are an easy fix, but they aren’t always cost-effective or may not suit your palate. One of the most important considerations should always be what kinds of things you normally eat. Make sure to check out our list of emergency ration foods for ideas of what kinds of food you should pack in your bug out bag.

It will also be a good idea to bring some cooking equipment. A lightweight pot is an absolute must since it can be used to cook or to boil water. A portable stove is also very helpful, but can be omitted if you have tools to start a fire and limited room in your pack. Utensils to cook and eat with are likewise useful, but if you have a good knife, you can typically improvise or create any utensils you may need.

3. Shelter and Warmth

Shelter is arguably the highest priority in any emergency or survival situation. Malnutrition and dehydration will surely kill you, but they take time. Inclement weather can potentially kill you in a few short hours, and being exposed can increase your susceptibility to illness, impair your sleep and mental faculties, and make you feel completely miserable and uncomfortable.

The type of shelter you should pack will depend on what the weather is like where you live. Colder areas and places with frequent rain or snow should pack a compact travel tent and an emergency blanket. If space is limited and you have knowledge of creating survival shelters, you might be able to get by with just a tarp. Warmer areas will need to plan more to beat the heat, and a tarp to create a shaded area would definitely be a must.

Clothing should also be included here. Plan to pack two changes of clothing if space allows, but if space in your bag is short this can be reduced to one change of clothing. The clothing should be appropriate for the type of weather in your area, so include thermal socks, gloves, a scarf, and warm headwear if you live in a cold region. If you live in a cold region, you don’t need to pack a coat in the bug out bag, but you should keep a coat near the bug out bag or next to the door to your house so you can easily grab it on your way out. 

4. Fire-Starting Tools

The ability to start a fire could make all the difference in an emergency situation. Fire can provide life-saving warmth, cook food, boil water for drinking, scare away wild animals, signal for help, and provide a reassuring sense of comfort. Packing fuel for the fire would take too much space and weigh too much, and you can usually find something to burn anywhere you go. So, focus on what you will need to start a fire. Waterproof matches are good to have and don’t weigh much, but they have to have a proper striking surface and each match is a single-use item. Pack a ferro rod to get a source of fire if the matches run out or become unusable. A magnesium rod will make starting any fire easier as well. You don’t need to pack any dedicated tinder; simply use some of the cotton balls in your first aid kit if you can’t find any good dry tinder around you.

5. First Aid and Hygiene

If an emergency is big enough to force you out of your home, there’s more than a fair chance somebody could get hurt. Pack a basic first aid kit in your bug-out bag to treat minor injuries and stabilize more serious injuries until you can get professional medical help. Also, make sure to pack any prescription medications or any other non-prescription medicine you might need, but don’t turn yourself into a walking pharmacy. Remember, you are trying to pack light.

Hygiene may not be your highest priority in an emergency, but packing a toothbrush, travel-sized toothpaste, and a small bottle of hand sanitizer will help maintain your health more than you think it will.

6. Tools and Gear

There is no end to the list of tools that might be helpful, but you have to select only the ones that will be most helpful and essential. Here’s a list of the best tools to make sure you have packed:

• Multi-tool or knife: In a bug out bag, a multitool is preferable as it is more versatile and usually more compact.
• Paracord (at least 25 feet): Cordage is more essential than people think. Paracord is the best cordage for a bug out bag because it is strong and can be unwoven to create even more cordage.
• Duct tape (mini roll): Has a lot of the same benefits as cordage and can be used to make quick repairs of some equipment, like tarps
• Flashlight and/or headlamp: A headlamp is a great hands-free illumination. Make sure to pack extra batteries, and check the batteries you have packed every now and then to make sure they are still holding a charge. A hand crank charging flashlight can reduce the need for extra batteries.
• Map and compass or GPS device: Getting lost can be a quick way to put yourself into a dangerous situation. Pack navigation devices and know how to use them. Don’t rely on your phone’s map app; your phone might be dead or unable to connect to a network to use the app in an emergency.

7. Communication and Navigation

Communication is something society has begun to take for granted now that everyone has a smartphone in their pocket all day every day, but you need to have a plan for communication that does not involve your phone. As mentioned above, there may be times you won’t be able to use your phone. At the very least, have your contact list printed out and laminated with the person’s name, address, and phone number. An emergency radio can be a good alternative, especially radios that can be charged with a hand crank, since they don’t connect to cell networks. Packing a whistle can be good in emergencies as well since they can be heard from farther away than a human voice.

8. Personal Protection and Security

Things may get dangerous or violent in emergencies, and you should always have some way to protect yourself. Bear spray is a good choice because it is non-lethal and works just as well on humans as it does on bears. A handgun or other firearm is probably the best protection you can carry, just make sure you stay compliant with all firearms related laws and regulations and make sure you have taken a gun safety course. Remember, a firearm can hurt you or a loved one just as easily as a bad guy if mishandled.

Carrying around your ID can also help you prove who you are in an emergency situation if you get approached by law enforcement or rescue services. Keep copies of all your insurance (health, auto, etc) in your bug out bag. Finally, carrying a small amount of cash can be beneficial in situations where electricity is out and electronic payment methods or cards don’t work. Adjust the amount of cash carried based on your personal finances, but you should aim to have at least $25-$50 in cash for emergencies.

Final Thoughts

A bug out bag is your first line of defense in a survival situation. Building and maintaining one isn’t paranoia, it’s practical preparation. The right gear can give you a critical edge in an emergency, and having it ready to go ahead of time will make a difference when every second counts.