BUG OUT OR GET HOME BAG MINIMUMS

GETTING YOU GROUP OR FAMILY STANDARDIZED

A group in the Northeast asked me to come up with the essential or bare-bone minimums that the members of their Mutual Assistance Group (MAG) should have in their bags. I considered this for some time until I decided it would be easier to bust out my bag and go through the items I thought were the most important. (See List below) Once I did that, I wrote a very basic S.O.G. that they could give to their existing and new members to ensure continuity within the group. Sometimes the most challenging thing about beginning to get prepared is how to get started.

It helped them, so I decided to make it public to help other like-minded people take advantage of my work and begin compiling their essential get-home or bug-out bag.

Purpose: Provide new and existing members with an essential guide for constructing a practical Bug Out Bag.

Definition: A Bug Out Bag or BOB is an essential tool for our team members to survive for three days. Utilizing the bare minimum to make it to one of our established rally points by themselves in an emergency. Considering the worst-case scenario, members could have to walk to the rally point. A BOB is not a battle pack. It should be viewed as a last resort to rally with team members should they have to rapidly escape a SHTF situation without time to go back and collect their long-term supplies

Usage: This should be considered the very minimum amount of equipment each member should maintain in their BOB. Each member of your immediate family you intend on bringing to the rally point should have an already assembled and ready-to-go pack. Take time to review each item with your close family member, so they are proficient with each item usage should they travel alone. (Remember, we are talking about the worst-case scenario). When adding additional items to your bag, remember to consider the weight and speed at which you can travel with that weight! Included with this document will be linked to some of the items listed. It is not a requirement that you purchase the exacted item listed. It is only a reference for the type of items available to you. Some of these have already been tested as viable BOB items. Use your discretion as to which things you want and substitute as needed.

Clothing: This is self-explanatory. Wear and pack clothing you are comfortable wearing on a potential three-day hike. Good Hiking shoes/boots are critical when considering footwear. Base your clothing on the season at which you will be traveling. That simply means you may have to change your clothing seasonally (No need to pack a heavy coat if it is summertime). Wool Socks are preferred to cotton as they wick away moisture and keep your feet in the best shape during travel.

Shelter: I have several items available for shelter based on the season I rotate, which I carry in my bag. In the summers, I prefer a hammock; however, when temperatures fall below seventy degrees, I freeze in my hammock, so I opt to rotate to my lightweight tent.

• https://amzn.to/3KiUOFq – Eno Double nest hammock

• https://amzn.to/3Kh9LI0 – Nemo 2 Dragon Fly tent (THIS IS AN AWESOME LIGHTWEIGHT OPTION)

Some of these options may not fit your budget, which is understandable. Find a cheaper replacement. Remember that this is expected to provide shelter for a max of three days. That said, if you prefer a tarp as a rainfly and to sleep on the ground, then by all means, do it. Something is better than nothing!

Food and Water: THREE DAYS WITHOUT WATER AND THREE WEEKS WITHOUT FOOD, AND YOU ARE DEAD! In my BOB, I carry mountain house freeze-dried meals. They are not the best food source, but they will keep you alive. 

Why do you need food in your three-day pack if you can live for three weeks without it? 

Energy!

 You will be expending a lot of calories if you have to walk and set up camp for three days. If you do not maintain an adequate supply of caloric intake, I can promise you will not feel like continuing to the rally point. I carry two Nalgene bottles and everything I need to filter water during my hikes. I always take advantage of a water source! I will list some of the items I have to clean and store water.

• https://amzn.to/3XyN7Og – Nalgene Water Bottle

• https://amzn.to/3Z3oURr – Collapsable water bottles – I use these for collecting dirty water for filtering later

Purification Tablets.

• https://amzn.to/3Z1rGX0 – Use as a last resort and not for long term

Filters. (I included my favorite, but it has its cons, weight, and price)

• https://amzn.to/3lEDTTj – Sawyer Mini’s with bags
• https://amzn.to/3k3SffF – Life Straw (Another option)
• https://amzn.to/412fes3 – MSR Pump (This is my favorite, but it’s pricey)

Cooking Kit

           This one has a little stove which is kinda cool

• https://amzn.to/3Vhm7op– Cheap, Lightweight, and it comes with a stove

Stick Stove

           Love this!

• https://amzn.to/3S7wxnn – Stick stove these are good to use when not concerned about making smoke. Plus, fuel will be readily available.

Fueled Camp stove (Don’t forget fuel)

• https://amzn.to/3Iv1JtM – Cheap stove, and it works just fine. No need to buy an eighty-dollar stove.

XXX GROUP BUG OUT BAG MINIMUMS

Clothing

In addition to the clothes you have on

• Pants
• 2- T-shirts
• Underwear
• 2 Pair Socks
• Rain Gear
• Hat
• Work Gloves

Shelter

Pick whatever you feel comfortable sleeping in for three days. If you would rather sleep under a tarp, by all means, do that

• Tent or Hammock (with rain fly)
• Sleeping Bag

Food / Water

• Life Straw or Sawyer Filter
• Water purification tablets
• Water containers minimum 2 – liters
• 3 Days worth of food of your choice
• Camp Stove with Fuel or Stick Stove
• Cooking Kit
• Spork
• Condiments
• Electrolyte Powders (Gatorade, etc.)
• Instant Coffee or Tea

Fire

• 3 – Bic Lighters
• Cotton balls in a pill container to use for quick tinder
• Magnesium striker

Hygiene / First aid

This does not replace your Ifak

• Toilet Paper
• Wet wipes
• Deodorant
• Tooth Paste
• Tooth Brush
• Mole Skins
• Prescribed Medications
• Soap
• Hand sanitizer
• Bug Spray
• Pain reliever
• Bandades (Assorted Sizes)
• Tweezers
• Alcohol Preps

Security

• EDC Pistol
• 3 Magazines Full
• 50-Rounds ammo
• EDC Folding Knife

Misc / Survival

• Camp Knife (Ka-Bar or Equal)
• Paracord
• Duct Tape
• Spare Batteries
• Phone Charger
• Portable Battery Pack (USB)
• Ty Wraps (Zip Ty’s)
• Head Lamp
• Portable Ham (program freqs)
• Multi-Tool
• Map of the area with rally point locations
• Compass
• Aluminum Survival Blanket
• All Weather Note pad and something to write with
• Cash for trade

These are just some ideas. I think the other items are straightforward. If you have questions, please contact a member, and feel free to pick each other’s brains. IRON SHARPENS IRON.

Tooch

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