BugOutBag

This is my bugout bag. It usually stays in my car, next to my CertBag. I started building this collection of stuff soon after 9/11 - I guess a lot of people did. Little by little, I've added a fair lot of stuff. The basic idea of this bag is that if something bad happens, we may have to move out quickly, and do without basic supplies for a few days while on the move. I count this as a very unlikely scenario, but better safe than sorry! Also, most of this stuff could be used on a camping trip.

Click either picture to go to a Flickr image with each item labelled.

I've tried to include an Amazon link for everything here, so you can do one-stop mailorder shopping. A couple of items (I noted them) seem high priced at Amazon; shop around. This is my actual kit pack list so I noted the expiration dates of my own stuff in red.

1. The pack is an OVO helmet bag with a pouch for hydration system. OVO seems to be out of business; I remember picking the bag because it was on a cheap closeout price. This bag by Nalgene would probably do well as a replacement.
2. The hydration system is a Camelbak Omega Hydrotanium 70 oz/1.5 liter. About $30. RINSE and REFILL YEARLY in December.
   1. Some might prefer packaged water; these Aqua Blox (water in singleserve boxes) are Coast Guard approved. About $20 for 27-count case, which is about 1.7 gallons. They have a 5 year shelf life. You need about a gallon of water per day per person. A simpler and cheaper alternative is bottled water from your grocery store.
   2. Bottles/boxes don't pack well. You may want to try Mainstay water packets. About $36 for a case of 60 (approx 2 gallons). 5 year shelf life.
3. The sleeping bag (tiny, huh?) is a SnugPak Softie 3 Merlin; about $250. Shop around; I'm sure I paid much less for this in 2001! A nice thing about these bags is that you can get one with a righthandzipper and one with a lefthand zipper; then the two bags will zip together. If you have a second person to share warmth with, that can be handy.
4. Glock folding shovel, about $50
5. NATO waterproof safety matches, about $3.50
6. Stabilized oxygen (not Amazon link) for water treatment, about $20.
7. Survival tabs (not Amazon link) Emergency food, about $25. EXPIRATION DATE: December 2011 (lasts 10 years)
8. Qty 2 Meals, ready to eat (MRE). About $75 for a case of 12. No expiration date! Really! Also see RepackingMRE
9. Can't remember where I got the compass. This Brunton compass should do; about $10
10. LeatherMan Crunch, multitool with vise-grips, knife, screwdrivers. About $70
11. Can't remember where I got the knife either. This Schrade lockback knife is similar. About $16
12. Hooded blanket/Poncho is made strong like a tarp but has interior reflective foil surface like space blankets. Mine originally came from MPIoutdoors; but apparently they no longer make them. I located a similar one here (not Amazon link). About $15
13. Heatsheets space blanket. Big enough for 2 people; has many emergency tips printed right on it. About $6
14. Parachute cord. About $8
15. Coghlans folding stove. About $9
16. EcofuelXP for foldng stove; $10 for sixpack
17. I could not find the Adventure Medical 'Savvy Traveller' kit I have. Their World Traveller seems similar. About $70
18. Storm Whistle. About $5
19. P-38 can opener. Get from local army-navy store (usually at the counter), or buy 15 of them for $13 and give some away as party favors! This is one of the all-around niftiest small things you can have on your keychain.
20. EMT scissors/shears. About $3
21. Mace Pepper Foam. About $18. 4 year shelf life.
22. Fire escape hood. I could not find the Kaptair type that I have for less than $50 each (I know I paid less, I just don't remember where!); I did locate this very similar one (not Amazon link). About $32.
23. Spare glasses. Mine are auto tinting, old ones from my optometrist; they have safety-strength lenses.
24. FreePlay Eyemax Wind-Up AM/FM/Weather Radio and flashlight. About $60. Note, I looked at a lot of other wind-up survival type radios. Most are not very sturdy; my first one broke the first time I used it (during the Great Seattle Power Outage of 2006). This unit is designed by a company who make similar units for the Third World; it is strong and sturdy. Don't get crappy knockoffs; you'll regret it like I did!
25. Garmin Rino 110 GPS/walkietalkie. About $155. You may be able to find refurbished ones for around $100 - I did. Because we have two bugout bags (one for me, one for wife), I like this device which will help me stay in contact with her, and also help us locate one another if we become separated. It takes 3 AA batteries; I use rechargeables. Discharge/recharge yearly in December.
26. SAS Survival Guide. About $14

Not shown:

1. Spork. 4-pack for $10, or $3/each
2. GI mess kit. About $7
3. Magnesium fire starter. About $8
4. Toilet paper.
5. Small packet of emergency info and cash.
6. Four-pack lithium AA batteries. EXPIRATION DATE: December 2017 (lasts 10 years)
7. Energizer makes this nifty compact charger (not Amazon link) for AA batteries; it slides open/shut and takes very little room. $18 with four rechargeable AA batteries.