Building a Bug Out Bag
What you need to have in your bug out bag at all times
The collapse of society is something that people have feared for a long time. Initially those who prepared for it by stockpiling things such as food, ammunition, weapons, body armor, and other supplies, were labeled “preppers” and seen as crazy by many other people. However with the way the world is now, the idea of being prepared for anything has become more and more popular. You see more people purchasing firearms, getting proper training- and not just your standard tip to the gun range, but they get medical training, learn how to shoot at a distance, and clear rooms. One hobby that you see becoming more popular is building a bug out bag.
What exactly is a bug out bag? What should you have in it? We are dissecting the top items to put in a bug out bag to make sure that you are prepared for any situation.
What is a Bug Out Bag?
Often referred to as a “go bag”, these are some types of bags, typically backpacks that are filled with supplies to last about 3 days if you are experiencing some sort of natural disaster or collapse of civilization. But what type of supplies should you have? Sure, you should have your plate carrier and a good pair of boots to keep you protected from the elements, as well as a rifle and sidearm, but what about what goes in the bag?
What to Keep in a Bug Out Bag
Now that we have established what a bug out bag is, let’s take a look at what exactly you should keep in it.
Socks
Keeping your feet safe is something that is absolutely essential. You will be encountering all different types of elements, and keeping your feet safe, dry, and cool is essential. You do not want any health complications, nor do you want any type of discomfort, especially if you are traveling on foot through various terrains. That being said, keeping extra socks in your bug out bag is essential!
Ammo
If you are someone who likes to be prepared, the chances are that you will have a rifle and a sidearm. While your chest rig or holster can hold a few extra mags, it is always good to have some extra ammunition in your bug out bag, whether the rounds are already packed in the magazines or they are in boxes ready to be loaded into the mags.
Food and Water
Obviously you do not want to be starved or dehydrated when you are experiencing some sort of civilization downfall, so having some food and water in your go bag to keep you energized and healthy is crucial. The recommended amount to keep is enough for three days as that is the average response time for aid to come, so you can stay prepared until help arrives.
Comms
There is a good chance that if you are experiencing a large natural disaster or the collapse of a civilization, then you will not be able to use your cell phone. That being said, having a radio that can be used for communication is essential.
However, if an EMP were to hit and take out the electric grid, your radio would be useless. With that in mind, you are going to want to have your radio stored in a faraday bag, which blocks out any EMP. If you are looking for a good faraday bag, check out SLNT and use the code “cvt” for a discount!
Flashlight or Headlamp
Going off of the idea of not being able to use your phone, you want to have a flashlight or headlamp handy and packed in your bug out bag. Being left in the dark is absolutely going to be something that can put you in a life or death situation, so having some source of light is essential.
First Aid
You do not know what you will be up against, the elements, insects, opposition forces; and that being said you do not know what kind of injuries you can fall victim to. Having a first aid kit with proper equipment is something that should be a priority for your bug out bag. Having one that can attach right to your plate carrier is ideal, and it should contain items such as:
Bandages
Alcohol
Gloves
Gloves can be a good addition to a bug out bag because you do not know when you will need clean hands. Whether you are trying to grip onto something, just protect your hands from the elements, a good pair of gloves is always something to add to your gear checklist.
Solar Charger
As stated above, depending on the situation that you are in, there is a good chance that you will be facing power outages and no electricity. That being said, having a solar charger for your phone, radio, or whatever other electronics you have with you is great.
Other Items to Consider for Your Full Kit
Now the bug out bag is only part of your kit, other than that you will have other pieces of gear such as a quality SHTF rifle. This can be an AR or AK platform, with some sort of optic on it to help with accuracy. Even equipping an LPVO is a good idea, so you can shoot from a distance, whether that is an opposing force or you are hunting to provide. You can also customize a rifle with different attachments for different scenarios, such as a suppressor or a flash hider. And remember to keep a sling on your rifle at all times.
Aside from that, having quality body armor with level 3 or 4 protection is good to have, and a duty belt. You can keep a good amount of your smaller gear on your belt or body armor, such as a holster, med kit, flashlight, and so on.
Training
All that being said, preparing a bug out bag is absolutely useless if you are not training with it and familiarizing yourself with how to use the different aspects of it. Tactical training is largely important, as it helps to get you used to your gear. Think about it, your firearm is going to be a foreign object to you if you are placed in a situation where you need it, but have never fired it. The same goes for gear in your bug out bag. If you do not train with it and break it in, you’ll have a hard time adjusting when you need them most, and that can be a life or death situation.
If you are looking for other training courses to get used to your gear like your boots, then check out Core Vision Training. Whether you want medical or close quarters, or even some night vision courses, Core Vision Training has it all. In order to be a well rounded individual that knows how to survive and win in multiple different environments, scenarios, and more, then these courses could be your new best friends. Core Vision also offers different fitness programs for you to choose from, so when you are out in the field and need to maneuver with all of your gear on, you won’t be out of breath too quickly, you’ll be fit and ready to go.
Bug Out Bag Wrap Up
All in all, a bug out bag is something that can be beneficial for anyone, as being prepared is more than just heading to the shooting range and taking a first aid class. It is better to be prepared for anything and never have to use any of your skills or gear, than to be faced with a situation where you have no knowledge of how to handle it.
What’s in your bug out bag? Let us know. And be sure to check out Core Vision Training’s shop, Instagram, and other blogs!