Sample Bug Out Bag Contents:

HEALTH & SECURITY:

• Your weapon(s) of choice for self-defense and/or hunting for supplemental food – don’t forget the ammo
• Survival knife and sharpener
• Basic First Aid Kit: ACE bandage, Band-Aids, gauze, medical tape, antibiotic ointment, Ibuprofen (for pain, fever), Benadryl (antihistamine), cortisone cream, tweezers, sanitizing hand wipes, sunscreen, snake bite kit, bug repellant, Epipen (for severe allergic reactions), any prescription medication you need for survival
• Trauma Kit: sterile suture and needle kit or sterile skin staple kit, sterile scalpel, latex gloves
• Whistle and/or signaling mirror
• Maps (in waterproof bag) or GPS
• Compass
• Flashlight or headlamp (preferably self-powered, if not don’t forget spare batteries)
• Sewing needle and heavy duty thread
• Soap and toothpaste
• IDs and cash

SHELTER:

• Seasonally appropriate tent or 2 (8’x6’) tarps
• Sleeping bag in compression sack and pad or hammock (depending on the climate/season)
• 100-ft paracord
• Dry bags
• Bandanas (3) (useful for all sorts of things from sweat band to tourniquet)
• Underwear (2 in the bag 1 on your body)
• Wool socks (2 in the bag 1 on your body) (cotton does not retain thermal properties when wet)
• Wool or sun hat (depending on season)
• Gloves (if seasonally appropriate)
• Thermal base layer
• Cargo pants (1 in the bag 1 on your body)
• T-Shirts (2 in the bag 1 on your body)
• Fleece or synthetic long sleeve shirt
• Cotton long sleeve (1 in the bag 1 on your body)
• Rain outerwear
• Belt

WATER:

• Pre-filled water bottles of your choice (2 qt.)
• Water purifier tablets
• Water filter or purifier system (like Katadyn Pocket)

FIRE:

• Disposable lighters (at least 6)
• Fire Steel (2) or waterproof matches (plenty)
• Fire Starter (like Firepaste, Ignite-o, or Vaseline soaked cotton balls)
• Multi-purpose knife or utility tool

FOOD:

• MREs and/or freeze-dried meals (at least 3-days, as many as you have space for)
• Energy Bars (as many as you can)
• Regional guide to edible plants
• Stove and fuel (if needed)
• Cooking pot with lid (preferably lockable)
• Multi-utensil tool or spork