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My Perfect Bug Out Bag

While I know there are lists all over the Internet for BOB's or "emergency bags", I have compiled what I found to be my complete list. It may vary from yours, but I tried to be very thorough and complete. I included items I know my family would use and benefit from. I'd love to hear your ideas or what your perfect bag contains.

For each person in our family, I chose to use the this Extreme Pak with a camouflage pattern. I chose it because it's large, water-resistant and it had decent ratings in a price range I could afford. The packs shipped fast and were much larger than I expected. Not only do they fit my 6' 2" hubby well, they fit my small built teen son. There are all sorts of loops, pockets and clips! While worn, it is comfortable and adjustable in many ways to fit snugly. Bonus - It has room for my huge list below. As time goes on and I can afford it, I may upgrade to better quality. For now, these will do fine in a pinch.

I do list a lot of items that I include in EVERY family member's BOB. I do so just in case anyone in our family is seperated, each person should have the tools they need to survive. I utilize trial sizes or samples of items where I can and package items in categories using recycled tins, small cosmetic bags or large prescription bottles. I also use a Food Saver to seal items.

WEAPONS

(I am not listing specific guns as they are a personal preference) 

Gun cleaning kit (if included in your bag)

Stainless Steel knife (full tang - no larger than 10” with 3/16 -4/16 blade w/sheath)

Tomahawk/axe (spend the extra $ for better quality item)

Machete

Multi-tool (don't cheap out here either)

Wetstone

Folding knife

Pepper spray

SEWING KIT 
 (basic items)

Scissors (small, also handy for first aid)

Thimble

Spools of thread (or wrap custom length around popcicle stick)

Needles, pins

Heavy duty needles

Patches

Safety Pins

FISHING GEAR
(minimum gear)

15lb test Fishing Line

Assorted hooks

Small pack of weights

FIRST AID 

For each person's BOB, I build my own first aid kit versus buying one with useless items and a million various sized band-aids. I use trial sizes and samples as often as possible to utilize space wisely.

Band-Aids, various sizes

Super glue (fast wound closure)

Gauze

Ace bandage

Ibuprofen/ Aspirin

Anti-diarrhea meds (in a SHTF situation...you'll be surprised how your tummy reacts)

Benadryl/antihistamines

Rolaids/tums

Neosporin

Tea tree oil

Coconut Oil

EVVO

Alcohol wipe

Saline solution for contact lens (useful in wound cleansing)

Latex gloves

Aloe Vera Gel

Sunscreen

Thermometer

Q-tips

Iodine

Syringe

Respirators

Bug repellent

Bandana (101 uses for a bandana)

Hand sanitizer

Tweezers

Chapstick (I make my own with coconut oil, honey and wax)

Medical tape

Cold medicine

Butterfly bandages

Nail clippers

Moleskin for blisters

FIRE STARTERS  
(Make sure to have a minimum of 4 various ways for fire starting)

Lighter

Water-proof matches

Magnesium flint stick

Petroleum Jelly/ cotton Balls

Magnifying Glass

CLOTHES

Socks (not cotton, prefer wool)

Hat/beanie

Long Pants

Shirt (short and long sleeve)

Jacket (rain proof) or poncho

Gloves

Spare eyeglasses

Sunglasses

Underwear

Hiking boots (preferable to have this on already)

HYGIENE

I noticed in some BOB's these items are skipped, I prefer to stay clean & avoid infection as long as possible.

Comb

Toothbrush

Toothpaste (travel size)

Floss

Toilet paper (I roll 1/4-1/3 of a roll into an empty prescription bottle per BOB. Eventually you'll run out, but it's handy to have for a few days)

Soap (travel size)

Lotion (travel size. I use FREE samples )

Deodorant (travel size)

Razor

Feminine supplies (often forgotten, some female prepper are choosing DIY reuseables)

Shampoo (travel size. I use FREE samples)

 SHELTER

Tarp (can be used as shelter)

Sleeping bag (spend the extra $$ for one suitable to your region as well as ultralight)

Thermal Mylar blankets (handy for cooler nights inside your bag)

Waterproof mat

LIGHT SOURCE

Light sticks (I love these over dollar store glow sticks Industrial Grade Chemical Light Sticks)

Solar Powered Flashlight (I choose solar, with battery back-up)

Flare (for emergencies)

COOKING/FOOD

Iodine tablets

Food rations (I prefer DIY dehydrated items)

Water (3 liters per person/per day)

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

Stainless steel Kanteen (I like that this one is BPA Free and has a hanging loop)

Multi-vitamins

Hand operated can opener - Military, P-51 Model

Packets salt/sugar/condiments (I gather these when eating out and seal in small packages)

Stainless Bottle Cup/Pot

Utensils kit (I got these as stocking stuffers)

Emergency Survival Stove (I'm stuck on this one due to it being ultra-light)

LOCATION ITEMS

Binoculars (compact)

Maps (for your area)

Compass

Signal mirror

Pen/paper

COMUNICATION

Crank Radio/light (This is my base camp radio)

Two way radios (other family member bags each contain one of these radios)

Whistle

MISC. TOOLS

Duct tape (it really can be a life saver)

Rope

Para cord (min of 50 ft PER BAG)

Zip ties

Claw Hammer

Pliers

Wrench, adjustable

Folding shovel (good quality, nothing like shoveling dirt and a cheap one breaking)

Survival handbook (I have this handcopy) I also suggest having various ebooks on either an ebook reader or an MP3 player. My base camp radio uses a crank and can charge a USB device.

Pocket Calendar

Watch

Ziploc Bags

Folding Saw

IDENTIFICATION

Driver’s License/ID

SS card

Birth Certificate

Laminated family photo

Laminated emergency contact phone numbers

Laminated list of medication/medical conditions

Laminated next of kin contacts