The importance of the bug out bag
The B.O.B., or Bug Out Bag, is probably the most important piece of equipment you need in case of an emergency. Though it is made up of several parts, it’s one grab and go item that you will be glad you have should disaster strike.
Even though this piece of equipment has “Bug Out” in the name, you don’t necessarily need to be wilderness bound to use one. One can bug in just as easily as bug out. For example, say that you are in Northern Montana, in a rented ski cabin, and a gigantic blizzard pours snow on you, trapping you in for days. With a well-stocked bug out bag, you can just bug in and wait for the roads to clear up.
When putting together a bug out bag, the first thing you need is a bag. Now, this is supposed to be something that you can grab and head out with, so a backpack would be ideal. When selecting a pack, make sure it’s a good one, because if you’re having to muscle your way through angry crowds or run through some thick woods, you don’t want your pack to fall apart.
If you need a regular-sized backpack, why not get a military-style 3-Day assault pack? If you need a large pack, capable of sustaining two people, or if you will need to travel for a while to get to a safe location, try a larger back, like the CFP-90. Those packs are large, tough, and pretty comfortable, too.
In another post, I talked about the value of having food in an emergency. When building a bug out bag, keep in mind that it may very well sit in your closet for years without seeing the light of day. So, you should pack military rations in it, since they are designed to last for years without going bad. I recommend SurePak MREs, which are nearly identical to the government issue military rations. These complete meals are packed in a bag that fits nicely into BDU cargo pockets. So, putting a few of these in your bug out bag won’t take up much room, and will solve the food problem. Keep in mind that they are meals only, and don’t come with water. So you’ll have to pack some of that, too.
These suggestions of mine are just the very basic necessities. There are many other things that you may need to add, and still other things that I think are a must. A good knife, for example, is a must for any BOB. You never know when you’re going to have to cut some rope or divide up some badnages. Flashlights and extra batteries, along with some type of warmth and shelter system are also musts for a bug out bag. I have a polypro tarp and some paracord in my bag, so that I can construct a basic tent or put a covering on a lean-to shelter.
Whatever you decide to put in your bug out bag is up to you. Just make sure that you have one. The last time I grabbed mine was when a tornado hit a block behind my house. That was quite and exciting night! I grabbed my bug out bag, and got my family into some protective shelter and waited out the storm. If we had been dislodged by furious winds, we would have had flashlights, water, protien bars, and emergency mylar blankets.
Take this basic information and expand upon it so that it meets your needs.
Now go make a BOB.
