An EMP lights up the Western seaboard. In a flash, you’re back in the Stone Age.

How ready are you, and do you have what it takes to withstand the ensuing chaos? Usher in the proverbial Bug Out Bag.

What is a Bug Out Bag?

In short, a Bug Out Bag is everything one needs to survive a cataclysmic event stuffed inside a backpack. Think of it as a toolkit with the sole intent to outlast uncertain times should things go haywire.

Imagine you wake to see your city in ruins. The power is out, people are panicking, law enforcement is nowhere in sight, and chaos sets in.

What sort of contingency do you have? Are you prepared to last a day, week, or month?

A Bug Out Bag is for Anyone

Contrary to stereotypes, a bug-out bag isn’t just for ex-military personnel.

There are plenty of scenarios when they’re useful, and many aren’t as far-fetched as Hollywood depicts.

Case in point: the Northeast blackout of 2003. The anomaly occurred in early August, sweltering hot conditions that caught hundreds of thousands of Americans and Canadians off guard. 

Infrastructure, communication, transportation, and water supply were affected within hours.

When to Start Your Bug Out Bag?

Effective bug-out plans start long before you sense danger. It takes forethought and planning, and the onus is on the individual to decide whether it’s smarter to stay at home, fortify and ride out danger, or leave AKA bug out when the proverbial sh*t hits the fan.

What Should You Pack?

Assuming it’s too risky to ride out the threat level at home, what should you pack in your bug-out bag?

The first thing to decide on is your actual pack. Think function over fashion and invest in something durable. I recommend mock exercises with your pack to see how it holds up. Training in any sector leads to better performance in real-world scenarios.

Choose a pack that is large enough to fit a rifle in, but not so cumbersome that it slows you down. Remember, you can always attach components to your pack – i.e., build it out.

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With your pack selected, it’s time to fill it with items that could mean life or death.

First-Aid Kit, Kid

Number one on the list is a First-aid kit. The likelihood of injuries increases when in a foreign environment, so pack the following in case:

• Tylenol and Advil: a solid contingency in case of infection or pain due to injury
• Amoxicillin, an antibiotic, can be life-saving when you are dealing with an infection due to unexpected trauma
• Bandages: keep infections at bay by covering any cuts from the elements
• Chest seal, designed to cover and seal open chest wounds
• Caffeine pills: You’d be amazed at the morale boost caffeine provides when in the middle of nowhere and exhaustion sets in. A second wind while sharpening cognitive function is priceless.
• Imodium: I don’t care how prepared one is, nothing slows down like diarrhea. Movement is the key to survival, so if you’re bogged down with an uncontrollable case of the runs, you’re inviting trouble.

Shelter while Bugging Out

With your first-aid kit locked, the focus shifts to shelter and comfort, necessities in case your bug-out is longer than anticipated.

Pack an Emergency Survival Blanket and an extra one made of wool. Wool is an amazing material that facilitates staying warm in the elements. 

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Furthermore, good sleep is key to restoration to help make smart decisions when in the elements. Add an inflatable sleeping mat to avoid sleeping on the ground; lack of sleep can lead to poor cognitive function.

FIRE in the hole

Anyone with outdoor experience knows the vitality of fire. It can be used for heat, cooking, and even to thwart bugs.

Fill your pack with waterproof matches and a pocket-sized saw to cut logs for your fire.

Furthermore, a firebox wood stove is key; perfect for cooking and for having a controlled, contained fire. Ghosting oneself to potential threats with an uncontained fire can mean game over.

Other Items to Pack

With the basics locked in, it’s time to pack items that many overlook but could prove beneficial.

• Tripwire – an effective way to fortify and keep your camp secure.
• Compass – knowing where you are and where you’re headed is important. It’s a fail-safe when it comes to sustaining cognitive function.
• Solar Panel – an analog approach to charging electronics, whether they be a radio, smartphone, or flashlight. 
• Flashlight/ Headlamp – We are diurnal beings with limited eyesight at night. A boost to your vision at night is a superpower.
• Knife – A practical weapon for close quarters, hand-to-hand combat, should you encounter any threats. Also useful for grinding down wood.
• Socks – Soldiers know how important proper footwear and foot care are when in the elements. Load up on socks; it’s the little things that add up when times get tough.
• Bug Repellent – Nothing kills morale like bugs and having nothing to deter them. Bugs can impact your sleep, morale, and overall ability to think clearly. I learned this the hard way two summers ago while doing a mock exercise in Northern Michigan over a weekend.
• Fishing kit – A small, functional way to land sustenance. Fresh fish packs a ton of protein, which you’ll need when in the middle of nowhere.

Final Checklist for Your Bug Out Bag

The beauty of packing a bug-out bag is that it’s a work in progress. Think of it as a marathon, not a sprint. Regardless of what others say, it behooves you to prepare ahead of time should you end up in a high-stakes situation.

• Firearms, firearms, firearms: Imagine being unarmed in a life-or-death situation.
• Flairs in case you need to flag down for help; also, a good deterrent for bears.
• Walkie-talkie
• Digging tool – a foxhole for a concealed fire
• Bolt cutters to help you should you encounter barbed wire
• Binoculars
• Emergency whistle
• Freeze-dried food; easiest, all you need is to boil water to eat
• MRE: Meal, ready-to-eat; comes in handy when you have no access to water
• Rain Jacket or Poncho
• Tent
• Waterproof tarp

These are volatile times, not just in America but throughout the world. Best to be the little pig who builds with brick instead of his lazy kin. Commit to preparation; your loved ones will need a power animal when times get tough, and rest assured, on a long enough timeline, they will. The onus is on you to be the cheat code!