Im not sure what to put in there. Its me and the kids so its not like we can carry on tons of things. Was thinking a change of clothes, pair of shoes, bunch of granola bars and few bottles of water. We will also carry a gallon of water each. Im thinking granola bars because they're light and i think well be fine eating a few for each meal..any suggestions?
Bug out bags
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That's a good start. I'd recommend also carrying a water filter, a tarp for making shelter, a good knife, some rope or cord, some freeze dried food, a fire making kit, map and compass, first aid kit and a firearm and ammo for protection and hunting. I prefer a .22 pistol. In my bag I also carry a small axe, fishing kit, a dozen small animal snares, sewing kit, duct tape and a small aluminum cooking kit.
Was looking into those life straws for water,Heard theyre pretty reliable.
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People on here that have used them say they have a very chemical taste. Just fyi
Get a mini Sawyer instead, better filter.
I'd recommend going with a little bottle of pure iodine water filter. It can fit in the palm of your hand so it won't take up too much space in your b/o/b, cleans an enormous amount of water (nearly 100,000 gallons) and cleans much more than water the filter straws do, it kills viruses which the straws do not.
There is no ‘iodine water filter’ per say, iodine is a post treatment to a filter not a filter in of itself, it’s a chemical cold treatment that can be used by itself or as a post treatment. At one time there were polymer and ceramic filters that incorporated iodine post treatment in their filter elements to kill viruses but hard to find and in most cases to big and fragile. Also, a lot of people have issues ingesting iodine.
I carry polar pure iodine crystals as a backup to my kit as it doesn’t expire but 99% of the time I would just boil the water let it cool before using the filter. Iodine also doesn’t remove sediments as filters do thus use both in conjunction of one another if unable to boil.
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I’d rather filter vs chemically treat any day. When it comes down to it though, any treatment is better than nothing. The most important thing to remember is NEVER drink untreated water. Getting sick during an emergency is the last thing you want. Our bodies aren’t accustomed to the bacteria in water now. Don’t risk it.
boiling is good for killing bugs and germs but wont remove toxins.
Neither will iodine, chemical contaminant removal filters are expensive and don’t last as long plus selective in the type chemical contaminants that are removed same thing for radioactive contaminant water filters and neither one are bullet proof unless one has the budget of the federal government.
Good info - thanks. I figured I would need a few methods of cleaning water
For any BOB (Bug Out Bag), first, just cover the basics and you'll be fine.....and in this order:
WATER (because you'll die quicker without it)
KNOWLEDGE (because with it, you can find everything else)
FOOD (because your thinking is impaired without it)
PROTECTION (because you want to keep the above)
SHELTER (though you can likely find/build it, you'll still want items to help with it).
So, first, WATER.
First and foremost, a straw type filter. Now you can debate brand, etc., but simply put, this gives you safe water from LOTS of sources.
Second, a METAL water bottle. This does two things, allows you to carry the water (and move as rough as you want), and allows you to boil the water (to purify it, or heat it up for dehydrated food).
KNOWLEDGE
You need to know: where you are going, how to get there, and how long it will take. You also need to either have practiced this kind of outdoor trek and living, or at least have researched it enough to feel somewhat confident. Personally, I like to have 2 items for this. One, is a solar power cell phone charger (with flashlight). Second, a cell phone with a lot of memory storage (and even a memory card), and have tons of survival pdfs on it.
FOOD
You want BOB food that is: light, compact, nutritious, easy to prepare (or even needs no prep), and keep a long time. Dehydrated camping/hiking meals are great for this. Granola bars, jerky, etc. are good too.
Second, you want the ability to GET more food. Fishing supplies, also covered next in PROTECTION, things like a gun and/or a knife.
Third, a can opener. Look, while there are plenty of ways to open a can of food, this is by far the easiest, and it's a pretty cheap and easy piece of gear to have.
Finally, ways to make fire. No need to be all primitive here. A lighter is a good thing. But, doesn't hurt to have storm matches and/or a flint striker too. May want to have some kind of small pan to cook in, or at least an extendable camping fork, to hold the food over the fire.
PROTECTION
This is all a matter of preference, but I personally prefer a nice .22 pistol because you can carry a TON of ammo, and it's good for hunting small game (I'd much rather have to eat a small rodent then figure out how to gut and preserve a deer, while bugging out, lol). Plus, if you shoot at someone, they really don't care what caliber is coming their way, they will take cover. (and you'll outlast them in the firefight).
A good fixed blade knife (full tang, meaning blade extends all through the handle) is also good not just for defense and hunting, but also just for having as a tool.
SHELTER
This really depends on your climate (and the season). Bugging out in the FL summer is different than winter in MI. Basically, you want something that is waterproof, will keep the wind off you, is compact, and easy to set up/take down. Personally, I like the little dome tents. I've had these stay up in storms that tore fancy tents to shreds. But, you can likely always find some abandoned building, sewer pipe, overpass, big tree, etc. so this is why it's last on the list.
Anything else, is just gravy....comfort items, tools, etc. I find it best to START with the basics, then go from there. I don't want to be loaded up like a Sherpa on Everest. If you cover the basics above, you'll be fine.
WATER (because you'll die quicker without it)
KNOWLEDGE (because with it, you can find everything else)
FOOD (because your thinking is impaired without it)
PROTECTION (because you want to keep the above)
SHELTER (though you can likely find/build it, you'll still want items to help with it).
So, first, WATER.
First and foremost, a straw type filter. Now you can debate brand, etc., but simply put, this gives you safe water from LOTS of sources.
Second, a METAL water bottle. This does two things, allows you to carry the water (and move as rough as you want), and allows you to boil the water (to purify it, or heat it up for dehydrated food).
KNOWLEDGE
You need to know: where you are going, how to get there, and how long it will take. You also need to either have practiced this kind of outdoor trek and living, or at least have researched it enough to feel somewhat confident. Personally, I like to have 2 items for this. One, is a solar power cell phone charger (with flashlight). Second, a cell phone with a lot of memory storage (and even a memory card), and have tons of survival pdfs on it.
FOOD
You want BOB food that is: light, compact, nutritious, easy to prepare (or even needs no prep), and keep a long time. Dehydrated camping/hiking meals are great for this. Granola bars, jerky, etc. are good too.
Second, you want the ability to GET more food. Fishing supplies, also covered next in PROTECTION, things like a gun and/or a knife.
Third, a can opener. Look, while there are plenty of ways to open a can of food, this is by far the easiest, and it's a pretty cheap and easy piece of gear to have.
Finally, ways to make fire. No need to be all primitive here. A lighter is a good thing. But, doesn't hurt to have storm matches and/or a flint striker too. May want to have some kind of small pan to cook in, or at least an extendable camping fork, to hold the food over the fire.
PROTECTION
This is all a matter of preference, but I personally prefer a nice .22 pistol because you can carry a TON of ammo, and it's good for hunting small game (I'd much rather have to eat a small rodent then figure out how to gut and preserve a deer, while bugging out, lol). Plus, if you shoot at someone, they really don't care what caliber is coming their way, they will take cover. (and you'll outlast them in the firefight).
A good fixed blade knife (full tang, meaning blade extends all through the handle) is also good not just for defense and hunting, but also just for having as a tool.
SHELTER
This really depends on your climate (and the season). Bugging out in the FL summer is different than winter in MI. Basically, you want something that is waterproof, will keep the wind off you, is compact, and easy to set up/take down. Personally, I like the little dome tents. I've had these stay up in storms that tore fancy tents to shreds. But, you can likely always find some abandoned building, sewer pipe, overpass, big tree, etc. so this is why it's last on the list.
Anything else, is just gravy....comfort items, tools, etc. I find it best to START with the basics, then go from there. I don't want to be loaded up like a Sherpa on Everest. If you cover the basics above, you'll be fine.
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Observation: the guy at the gun store says that .22 was the fastest to go and hardest to find. I have a .22 LR and the ammo is much lighter than my 9mm.
Last year at Academy Sports they had a shipment of .22 arriving and some employees spilled the beans. They had people camping overnight to get to the ammo
It's better now, stock-wise. For a long time there, it was hard to find (but then, so was other ammo). Got better when Trump was elected. (less fears of the government gun grab I suppose).... 
Just so easy to have even a pocketful of ammo and it feel like change in your pocket. Not that I recommend a pocket for storing ammo, but you know what I mean....
I have a .25 that I like too, but it's an odd caliber to find sometimes. But, it's ammo is almost as easy to carry as a .22, but has a bit more punch to it....while still being pretty quiet (compared to other guns). It's got a magazine too, so can shoot it pretty quick, but only holds 6 in the mag, one in the chamber. But, it's tiny. Again, pocket-sized. It's usually my go-to "Honey, go see what that noise was" companion piece. (while I carry the shotgun with tactical light). Note, I only use the light when needed, as I know my property pretty well (and if I do, I hold it away from me, lest someone use it as a target).
Luckily, so far, it's typically just wildlife that is the source of such a noise, not a burglar or meth head.
Just so easy to have even a pocketful of ammo and it feel like change in your pocket. Not that I recommend a pocket for storing ammo, but you know what I mean....
I have a .25 that I like too, but it's an odd caliber to find sometimes. But, it's ammo is almost as easy to carry as a .22, but has a bit more punch to it....while still being pretty quiet (compared to other guns). It's got a magazine too, so can shoot it pretty quick, but only holds 6 in the mag, one in the chamber. But, it's tiny. Again, pocket-sized. It's usually my go-to "Honey, go see what that noise was" companion piece. (while I carry the shotgun with tactical light). Note, I only use the light when needed, as I know my property pretty well (and if I do, I hold it away from me, lest someone use it as a target).
Luckily, so far, it's typically just wildlife that is the source of such a noise, not a burglar or meth head.
for your BOB, I would also recommend having some kind of entertainment for the kids, like a handheld game system for each, that you can charge via USB, from a solar cell phone charger or something. (or just their phones with non online games loaded).
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Cards too. Take up very little room and they are so versatile. From kids games to strip poker.
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Just saw a commercial for tacglasses. Anyone tried these?
For a bug-out bag, you will find endless debates, opinions, and points on items pro and con.
For myself, I believe that it depends upon your needs, your skills, and your environment.
I live, work, and play in a tropical environment in South Florida, so my bug-out bag will be different from a resident of northern Minnesota.
A good place to get excellent backpacks is from e-bay. I have an excellent external frame Kelty backpack that came from e-bay for $60.00, and it was originally over $200.00.
I have a two-person backpacking tent, jungle boots, 5 pairs of socks, t-shirts, cargo pants, underware, sandals, and a mosquito suit.
I have a Katadyn filter, collapsible water bottles, peanut butter, freeze-dried foods, two collapsible fishing rods with hooks, lures, leaders, sinkers, and so on. I have a gill net, a take-down Ruger 10/22 stainless, 500 rounds of .22, a gun cleaning kit, paracord sling, a fire-starting kit (Bic lighters, Zippo lighters, lighter fluid, flints, and so forth), a stainless camp pot, plastic sheeting and aquarium tubing for a solar still, instant coffee, paracord, a sewing kit, a hand-crank flashlight/radio combo, a multi tool, castile soap (Dr. Bonner's), Peterson's Field Guide to Edible Plants, a medical kit (normal stuff plus lots of antifungal cream, antibiotics from a vet supply place, condoms, Hibiclens soap, betadine, and so forth), a compass, binoculars, pantyhose (for protection from ticks and leeches), a ka-bar knife, a trashy paperback novel, perscription eyeglasses, and a few other things.
I'm constantly changing things around. I upgrade from time to time, I downgrade when I change my mind about certian things, and so on.
Leaving a bug-out bag in the car is a bad idea. The inside of a car can get as hot as 130° during a hot Florida day, and such temperatures can cause meds to deteriorate in less than six hours. Some people include a small propane/butane backpacking stove with the BOB (I sometimes do), and these temperatures can cause pressurized cylinders of propane and/or butane to leak and, possibly, explode...especially if you smoke in your car.
It is, perhaps, better to get two or three small containers of certian things as opposed to a big jar. An example is peanut butter.
Sealed containers of peanut butter, for example, can be traded or given away. Also, if one container is open and you drop or lose it, you have other ones to back you up instead of losing your whole supply of peanut butter in one shot.
Also, stuff deteriorates once opened, so several smaller containers remove the pressure of having to eat things before they go bad.
Lastly, empty containers (like jars with lids) should be saved, repurposed, and utilized. This seems easier with a few smaller containers as opposed to one big container.
I have left out a lot of things, but you get the idea.
Remember...peanut butter is your friend. It is very calorie dense, it contains valuable protien, and it lasts at room temperature for up to two months after opening.
Also, peanut butter is very valuable as animal bait. Almost any animal will come to peanut butter in a snare or other trap.
Raccoons, possums, bunnies, woodchucks, rats, foxes, skunks, and almost anything else will sell out for peanut butter.
I hope this post was helpful.
Stay safe, and good luck.
For myself, I believe that it depends upon your needs, your skills, and your environment.
I live, work, and play in a tropical environment in South Florida, so my bug-out bag will be different from a resident of northern Minnesota.
A good place to get excellent backpacks is from e-bay. I have an excellent external frame Kelty backpack that came from e-bay for $60.00, and it was originally over $200.00.
I have a two-person backpacking tent, jungle boots, 5 pairs of socks, t-shirts, cargo pants, underware, sandals, and a mosquito suit.
I have a Katadyn filter, collapsible water bottles, peanut butter, freeze-dried foods, two collapsible fishing rods with hooks, lures, leaders, sinkers, and so on. I have a gill net, a take-down Ruger 10/22 stainless, 500 rounds of .22, a gun cleaning kit, paracord sling, a fire-starting kit (Bic lighters, Zippo lighters, lighter fluid, flints, and so forth), a stainless camp pot, plastic sheeting and aquarium tubing for a solar still, instant coffee, paracord, a sewing kit, a hand-crank flashlight/radio combo, a multi tool, castile soap (Dr. Bonner's), Peterson's Field Guide to Edible Plants, a medical kit (normal stuff plus lots of antifungal cream, antibiotics from a vet supply place, condoms, Hibiclens soap, betadine, and so forth), a compass, binoculars, pantyhose (for protection from ticks and leeches), a ka-bar knife, a trashy paperback novel, perscription eyeglasses, and a few other things.
I'm constantly changing things around. I upgrade from time to time, I downgrade when I change my mind about certian things, and so on.
Leaving a bug-out bag in the car is a bad idea. The inside of a car can get as hot as 130° during a hot Florida day, and such temperatures can cause meds to deteriorate in less than six hours. Some people include a small propane/butane backpacking stove with the BOB (I sometimes do), and these temperatures can cause pressurized cylinders of propane and/or butane to leak and, possibly, explode...especially if you smoke in your car.
It is, perhaps, better to get two or three small containers of certian things as opposed to a big jar. An example is peanut butter.
Sealed containers of peanut butter, for example, can be traded or given away. Also, if one container is open and you drop or lose it, you have other ones to back you up instead of losing your whole supply of peanut butter in one shot.
Also, stuff deteriorates once opened, so several smaller containers remove the pressure of having to eat things before they go bad.
Lastly, empty containers (like jars with lids) should be saved, repurposed, and utilized. This seems easier with a few smaller containers as opposed to one big container.
I have left out a lot of things, but you get the idea.
Remember...peanut butter is your friend. It is very calorie dense, it contains valuable protien, and it lasts at room temperature for up to two months after opening.
Also, peanut butter is very valuable as animal bait. Almost any animal will come to peanut butter in a snare or other trap.
Raccoons, possums, bunnies, woodchucks, rats, foxes, skunks, and almost anything else will sell out for peanut butter.
I hope this post was helpful.
Stay safe, and good luck.
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We are having an ugly day today so I thought I would check out my large duffle type BOB. Geez, talk about over packing. I don't think I will be able to BO, but better safe than sorry. This duffle is so heavy.
I have decided that batteries and ammunition are the heaviest. I'e decided I really don't need 10 packages of aspirin, especially since I am allergic. I'm trying to place the "really" important stuff into a small backpack so I can just grab it and go.
The tarp and ropes will have to be in the larger bag, but I'm trying to cut the weight.
Oh, found a canned ham I put in about 3 years ago and it still hasn't expired.
I have decided that batteries and ammunition are the heaviest. I'e decided I really don't need 10 packages of aspirin, especially since I am allergic. I'm trying to place the "really" important stuff into a small backpack so I can just grab it and go.
The tarp and ropes will have to be in the larger bag, but I'm trying to cut the weight.
Oh, found a canned ham I put in about 3 years ago and it still hasn't expired.
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If I have the alcohol swab pads, do I need bottles of alcohol? That's a lot of weight.
I' strong for my size but I only weigh 118. I'm leaving the heavier stuff for the big duffle, except for the extra ammo.
As far as clothes, in the small bag I'm thinking just dry socks and underwear and gloves. They'e made it 8 years on The Walking Dead wearing the same crap,
I' strong for my size but I only weigh 118. I'm leaving the heavier stuff for the big duffle, except for the extra ammo.
As far as clothes, in the small bag I'm thinking just dry socks and underwear and gloves. They'e made it 8 years on The Walking Dead wearing the same crap,
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I have some liquid iodine. I need to look up ratio
If it’s liquid 2% Tincture of Iodine Then add 5 drops per quart if the water is clear, add 10 drops per quart if the water is cloudy. Like most chemical treatment temperature plays a role in the treatment process, generally give it an hour or two before consuming the water
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Thanks Maverick. Appreciate your help
Polar pure iodine crystals are better, but keep a few things in mind:
1)There is a clear form of tincture of iodine, and it can't be used to purify water.
2)Iodine and ammonia are violently explosive. Some first aid sting pens contain ammonia, so keep these products separated from the iodine in your first aid kit.
3)Iodine water treatment will not kill a protozoal parasite called cryptosporidium. Crypto may be asymptomatic in some people, but usually causes fever, bloody diarrhea, dehydration, abdominal pain, possibly hypovolemic shock, and so on. People may recover with rest and good nursing care, but crypto kills AIDS patients and can cause deformities in an unborn child.
Crypto is not uncommon.
I use Calcium Hypochlorite, i just a got 2 lbs. shipped in today.
If you're trying to cut weight, consider a jungle hammock instead of a tent.
It doesn't use poles, it's light, it keeps the rain off, and protects from bugs.
It's good in an area with lots of trees, but if you have to bug out across a rolling prarie or a flat desert, it may not be for you.
If batteries weigh you down, get a hand crank radio/flashlight combo. I have several, and they work well.
Get peanut butter for food. It packs a huge amount of calories and protein, and it keeps up to two months after opening. The empty plastic peanut butter jars can be repurposed after you eat the contents.
Peanut butter is excellent bait for animal traps.
For heavy ammo, maybe a .22 magnum rifle paired with a .22 magnum sidearm. .22 magnum is an underrated cartridge for it's size. A .22 mag pistol may not offer the punch of a 9mm or a .45, but it will screw up a person's day.
The lower recoil of a .22 magnum allows faster follow-up shots.
There are websites dedicated to the sport and principles of ultralight backpacking.
I've read of a fanatic that has a 4 day trip pared down to less than 14 lbs....and he's got his creature comforts covered.
All my best.
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Chlorine will not kill crypto, and it usually won't kill giardia (although iodine does kill giardia).
I boil, or I use a filter.
Also, do you know how to make a solar still?
Clear plastic dropcloths, aquarium tank tubing, a shovel, and a container will get you pure water (more pure than tap water) in the middle of a desert. I also add a turkey baster syringe so I can suck up the water and squirt it into my canteen.
Clear garbage bags work almost as well.
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For a solor still use plastic soda bottles
Calcium Hypochlorite will kill mostly everything but cysts. The very common Cryptosporidium, Giardia Lambia type cysts will still be alive after you chlorinate the water. You still need to filter the water before you drink it. The filter will also remove most of the chlorine and toxic heavy metals. Cysts are large in comparison to bacteria and viruses. They are hard to kill(ranging from 7-10 microns in diameter) Chorine won't kill them off but they are easily removed by filtration. Even a cheap $3-$5 Pur or Britta 2 stage Pitcher Filter will remove 99% of microbial cysts.
