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Prepare your own bug out bag with survival gear. See the bug out bag list below for the survival gear items essential to surviving an apocalypse or basic survival situation. Reviews are provided for the individual items you should include in your bug out bag contents. Read reviews of the best bug out bags that are available for purchase.
When determining what to put in your bug out bag, the survival gear list will contain the essentials you deem important to survival. Start to brainstorm about what you will need: Food, Water, Shelter, Medical Supplies and Protection. Then consider the list below for items to include in your bug out gear.
If you want to simply be prepared and not spend the time to put your own bug out bag together there are numerous options for pre-made bug out bag, survival kit, go bag or emergency preparedness kit. For more information and reviews on pre-made bug out bags please see the bug out bag page.
Lets get started with your basic needs should you need to evacuate your home and travel to another location. For simplicity sake, lets figure you need at least three days of survival gear until you can stock up on rations and supplies again.
Bug Out Bag List
- Backpack
- Shelter=Tent
- Sleeping bag
- Water and water purification device
- Food – calorie dense, proteins and fats
- Cooking Pot, utensils
- Matches
- Multi-tool, knife
- Clothing – pants, long sleeve shirt, socks, hat
- Hygiene Kit – Toothbrush and paste, brush, wet naps, razor, mirror, toilet paper, tampons
- First Aid Kit and Medications – suture kit, tweezers, bandages, ibuprofen, antihistamine, and your prescriptions
- Flashlight/Lantern
- Rain Poncho
- Bug Spray/Sunblock
- Map and compass
- Radio
- Book, playing cards – something to pass the time and keep you in positive spirits
- Weapon – to defend yourself and to catch animals for food
You will also need to have other essential items on hand in the event of natural disaster, in times of war, and if a apocalypse occurs, be it a zombie apocalypse or a world wide pandemic. For example if nuclear war occurs you will want a Geiger counter and radiation meter on your person to test the environment and your exposure to radiation. In the event zombie apocalypse or world wide pandemic you will need a face mask to protect from air borne illnesses and plastic suits and disinfectant to protect your skin from contamination.
Depending on the situation you may want to add a few items to your bag that may not already be included. In times of war, biological warfare or nuclear attacks will require the use of special gear to keep you safe contaminates that can cause illness and death. Should you encounter a zombie outbreak or other type of pandemic you will need to keep yourself safe from exposure by simply keeping away from those infected or covering yourself with safety gear such as a plastic suit or wearing a face mask. If you live a cold climate or travel to a cold climate you may need an emergency preparedness kit that includes cold weather clothing and gear to deal with extreme temperatures. Please see the list below for additional items to consider adding to your bug out bag.
- Geiger Counter
- Radiation Meter
- Gas Mask
- Face mask
- Plastic Gloves
- Plastic Suit
