Putting together a BOB from a generic bug out bag checklist (like the one below) can lead you to over-pack or to completely pack the wrong stuff. Planning a comprehensive, well packed bug out bag requires an attention to detail, which is why we urge you to read our bug out bag planning tutorial in concert with this bug out bag checklist.
On the plus side, using this bug out bag checklist will help you stay organized, allow you to check off items as they are packed, and highlight any items you may have missed or additional items you want to include in your bag. Remember, you want to get all of your essentials packed first, including tools and supplies that are crucial to survival in an emergency.
Medical Considerations
Every person has different needs that should determine what they want to include in their bug out bag, aside from the basics of food, water, shelter, and fire. When making your bug out bag checklist, double check that you have listed any special medical supplies or medicine that you need. For example, diabetics should have an extra supply of medicine and testing supplies, asthma sufferers should have an additional inhaler, and people allergic to food or outside allergens should include an Epi-pen for their bag.
Pack Appropriately for Different Climates
When reading the bug out bag checklist Also take into account what type of weather you are likely to encounter if you have to bug out, do you need extra clothes for a warm climate or cold one? What type of terrain is in your immediate and extended area, and what shoes are best suited to traverse it? (Flip flops, backless shoes, and slip-ons are not ideal walking shoes)
If you are unable to use your vehicle or have to abandon it along the way, do you have a map to reference in case your GPS or phone doesn’t work? These are all questions that should help you think about what items will need to be incorporated into your bug out bag packing checklist.
Make Your Bug Out Bag List and Check it Twice
Once you have addressed all these issues, make a physical checklist of everything you think you need or could possibly need in your bug out bag. I find that having an actual printed checklist that I can check off is easier for me to use, however, you may prefer to use a digital version or handwritten version of a bug out bag packing checklist. Once your bug out bag checklist is complete, review it a few times to make sure you haven’t left out anything, and make notes of items you want to have more of or have left off the checklist.
Below are essential items and common items to have on your bug out bag checklist, and to pack in your bug out bag. You will not be able to fit all of these items into one bag, you will need to pick and choose which items are best for your budget and situation. This is just a guideline, as everyone’s checklist will vary depending on their individual needs. I have included notes that were helpful to me when packing my own bug out bag.
Home-Based Bug Out Bag Checklist
Bug Out Bag Checklist
Instead of listing what kind of pack to get, we will just tell you to get a good one. Hiker-style packs that are designed to be light are not the way to go. These light packs are about as durable as they are light. Trail hikers have stations and trail heads along the way to deal with equipment failures, bugging out you want to avoid places like that.
Our recommendation is a sturdy tactical pack that allows you to separate and hang items with a MOLLE / PALS webbing system. This will afford you more room inside the pack, and give you quick access to the items you use most often. Pouches are your friend, buy pouches. We suggest Condor or Eberlestock.
Water is the most important thing to plan for in this section. Foraging is the next area to concentrate on. Food on the other hand is one of the least important when bugging out from home, we can actually survive weeks without food. Besides that, when bugging out from home you can do something as simple as grabbing a bag of rice on your way out the door to sustain you for weeks.
Extra socks, kept in zip lock bags, this can’t be stressed enough.
Underwear, Ditto.
Long-Johns
Dry Bag
Emergency Hypothermia Blanket
Waterproof Pouches / zip bags
42-Gallon Contractor Trash Bags (most valuable item for cost by far)
Foam Ground Mat
Lightweight Hammock (Extremely comfortable, can be used as a chair / table / shelf)
Bug Out Bag Checklist
All in One Survival Kit
Bic Lighter
Heavy Duty Zip Ties
Waterproof/ Storm Matches
550 Paracord
Army Field Manuals
Candles
G.I. Can Opener
Flint Fire Starter
Duct Tape
Sewing Kit
Military Style Compass
Sling Shot Band Kit
Chow Utensil Kit
Mess Kit
Emergency Stove
Pack Grill
Survival Manual if you’re inexperienced
Cable Ties
WetFire starter / Tinder
Cook Set
Bug Out Bag Checklist
Crank Flashlight that does not need batteries
Am/Fm Radio
Portable Solar Panel
Battery Pack for Panel
Rechargeable flashlight
Rechargeable Batteries
High Lumen Flashlight
Headlamp w/ Extra or rechargeable batteries
Candles
Lantern
Glows sticks
Bug Out Bag Checklist
MOLLE First Aid Kit
Assorted sizes of gauze pads, several of each
Gauze bandage
Surgical tape
Ace wrap
Antiseptic wipes or liquid.
Anti-bacterial cream
Alcohol pads
Anti-bacterial wipes
Waterless hand sanitizer
Ibuprofen
Acetaminophen
Aspirin
Benadryl
Hydro-cortisone cream
Aloe Vera burn cream
Eye wash
Eye dropper
Ice pack
Tweezers
Various size needles
Safety pins
Sanitary napkins/pads
Scissors
Vinyl gloves
Moleskin (for blisters)
Hygiene Kit
Toothbrush
toothpaste
wet naps
bar of soap
shampoo
dental floss pick
hand and body lotion
deodorant gel
twin blade razor
comb
maxipads
shaving cream
washcloth
Toilet Tissue
NIOSH N95 Respirator Mask
Foot care kit
Potassium Iodide Tablets
Snake Bite Kit
Bug Spray (Mosquitoes have killed more people on earth than any other animal)
Mosquito Netting No See-Um
QuikClot Advanced Clotting Sponge 25g
Surgical kit
Potassium Iodide (IOSAT) For nuclear attacks
Loperamide (Diarrhea medicine) Diarrhea has killed more sailors than all the wars.
Children’s Bug Out Bag Checklist
In an emergency situation, having a role and responsibility can help keep your kids from panicking. Practice emergency procedures with them regularly and let them help you pack their bug out bags so that they know what’s in them. Explain how to use each item in the bag and develop a plan in case you should get separated. Don’t just assume that everything will be OK – hope for the best and prepare for the worst!Here are a few items that will be specific to a kid’s bug out bag contents checklist:
Written (or drawn) map to a close designated meet-up place.
Document with your child’s personal information as well as yours
Change of clothes
6 rations of snacks/meal bars that they can easily open
Water – 4-6 bottles if they can carry it, and water purification tablets. For younger children, purified water pouches are lighter.
Medications
Sunscreen
Wind-up or shake flashlight
Whistle
Polar Blanket
Rain Poncho
Glow Sticks
Small first aid kit
2-way radio with new batteries, set to a preset channel
Comfort item such as a small stuffed animal, family picture, or coloring book and crayons.
Odds and Ends and Other Considerations
Extra Cash, Coins, Gold.
Important phone numbers Written Down.
Passport and copies of other important personal information.
Cotton, Used to silence clanking gear and as fire tinder.
Zip lock bags, Keeping stuff organized and dry is paramount
Map of your area, SERIOUSLY IMPORTANT.
Binoculars
Magnifying glass, redundancy for fire starting.
Super glue, light and can extend the life of your equipment,
Salt & pepper, why not?
Bandanas, Sooo many uses, Google it.
Personal protection, besides bug out problems, hungry things lurk in the woods.
GPS, make sure you have a compass as a back up and a renewable energy source.
Red spray paint, mark your path in unfamiliar territory.
Respirator or gas mask, takes a lot of room, use your best judgement.
Frying pan, very heavy, but extremely nice to have.
Gold-bond powder, for chafing and foot care.
Sun block, a life saver if needed.
Signaling mirror (great for non-zombie apocalypse)
Glow sticks (in case of disco)
Spare battery for your electronics.
Solar powered rechargeable batteries or plenty of extra batteries
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