Bug out Bag Contents: Influencing Factors

Bug Out Bag Contents?

I am sure you have heard it said that survival kits should be tailored to your personal but this needs to be stressed again when determining a Bug out Bag List.

Also, let me clarify that today we are talking about a Bug out Bag that is planned and packed in order for you to make it a set distance to a pre-determined location. Whether this is a Get Home Bag or the Bug out Bag that is going to be with you the full 140 miles to your retreat, the thought process behind selecting your Bug out Bag Contents, and amounts of those contents, remains the same.

Before you begin selecting your Bug out Bag contents I would suggest you make a Bug out Bag Checklist. This checklist is different than a Bug out Bag checklist of items. It will contain a list of factors that will help you determine how much of and what you need to pack.

Factors Influencing Bug out Bag Contents:

1.       Time of year and Weather

2.       Total Travel Distance

3.       Terrain

4.       Speed of Travel/Estimate of Travel Length

5.       Party Member Considerations (Special Needs)

6.       Cache System/Trip Segments

Description and Why Bug Out Bag Contents Factors:

1.       You will find that depending on your location and the local weather, some items will be necessary in one location all year long but might just be extra weight in another location. For example, it would be a good idea to have a snow rated jacket in your bag up in Alaska year round but if you are in southern California you may not need one any time of the year depending on your destination.

2.       Travel distance will affect many things such as the amount of water or purification attempts you need to be capable of which in turn will help determine if you need to set cache location along your route.

3.       Terrain is another factor that helps determine the need for caching, water carried and speed of travel. You may need some cached supplies, extra water on your person and special equipment/clothing considerations.

4.       The distance you must travel is only part of the equation. Do you know how long it will take your party to travel that distance? I hope so or you may find yourself without enough water or food. It is very important that you know your trekking abilities with the weight you must carry.

5.       Knowing your own limits is extremely important but if you are traveling with others knowing the abilities of everyone else is a life saver as well. Say you can haul yourself 20 miles a day for extended days in a row but have a young child or elderly adult that will be coming with you. Pushing them beyond their daily abilities will slow you down in the long run so it will be much safer to pre-plan and slow the party pace down to accommodate everyone safely. If you know there is a child that will not be able to walk over 5 miles a day then you may want to bring some sort of wagon or lower your pack weight so you can carry the child (if their weight allows it safely and efficiently) for a few miles a day.

6.       If the distance is too great or the terrain does not permit water procurement then take matters into your own hands and cache supplies ahead of time. This can help unreachable distances become reachable and turn water starved un-navigable deserts into something attainable.

7.       As I am sure it has become apparent, these factors are interdependent and will greatly influence supplies and gear needed. It will also help to manage expectations and keep goals realistic.

8.       Bug out Bag Tip: Pre-packaged kits or Bug out Bags can save time and give great bases to start with but you need to take responsibility and open them up and check all the items. Use these as a foundation to build.