Guest Post: 5 Things You Need in Your Bug Out Bag

A bug out bag is a bag full of necessities that one might need during an emergency. It is a type of emergency kit that is meant to be portable, light and very useful. Despite appearances, bug out bags can hold a wealth of potentially life-saving items. Shelf Reliance provides fully stocked, durable bug out bags. They also provide items so a person can select what they want in their bug out bag or add items to a stock bug out bag:

First Aid Kit 

First aid kits are essential to survival in many situations. Emergencies mean accidents are going to happen. Needing a bug out bag means people are basically on their own. Those two things combined make a first aid kit indispensable. It should have basic wound cleansers, wound dressings, pain relievers, antihistamines, fever reducers and perhaps even feminine products.

Light 

A light can mean the difference between camping in a cave full of bears and finding a nice meadow when traveling in the dark. If the bug out bag belongs to someone who is skilled at making torches, fire-starting tools are all that is needed. However, if that is not the case, a battery operated flashlight or lantern is necessary. Extra batteries are good as well.

Fire 

Fire saves lives in emergencies that require bug out bags. It sounds odd, but it is a fact. They provide warmth, light and a place to sterilize food and water. Waterproof matches are the safest bet. Lighters are helpful as well, but can be useless when wet.

Food & Water 

A very skilled survivor can find food and water. However, it is wise to have freeze dried food in a bug out bag, no matter the skill level. Protein and vitamins can help keep up energy until food can be found. As for water, a container for water and water treatment tools will suffice if a water source is handy. No more than a few bottles of water will be convenient to carry, so these tools are necessary. 

Shelter 

Personal survival tents are very small and light. They are also worth it. They will keep out bugs, help retain heat and deter most small animals. Emergency blankets for the shelter should also be in the bug out bag in case temperatures drop.

The above list only takes into account a bug out bag for a healthy individual. If a person is taking medications for an illness, that should be included in the bag. That is why it is so important to personalize a bug out bag. It should be ready for grabbing and bugging out at any given time.