Some may only have time and money to put together a good bug out bag.

What goes into a bug out bag? Of course, the size and weight of your bug out bag will limit what goes in it. On the other hand, the more people in your team, the more key components you can distribute throughout a number of bug bout bags. Where you are going with your bug out bag may also determine the contents. Would you be bugging out to the great outdoors or to a Red Cross shelter at the high school?

So what's in your bug out bags? What's going into your bug out bags?

According to some survial experts, our survival dictates a heirarchy of priorities: protection from exposure, water, food, improvement on the first three, self-defense, comfort, and entertainment. Whether you are heading to the shelter or the outdoors, these issues remain basic in your considerations of what goes in your bug out bag. How you address these issues may vary with your proposed destination.

Some people will want to include basic gear for multiple destinations.

Generally, survivalists agree that the basics include the following: survial knife, multi-tool, pocket saw, fire starter, tinder, shelter, first aid, medical supplies, water, food, light, signal, survival knowledge, and entertainment. It's obvious, then, that your gear doesn't have to be all that expensive. In fact, a bug out bag can be affordable to someone on welfare or those who don't have much money.

If you plan to stop at a shelter, there are other issues to consider.

You may not be able to bring in any tools that are also identified as weapons. You may not want to bring in your knife if you can't hold on to it and it falls into someone else's hands. Finally, how are you going to keep other people out of your bug out bag or from running off with it? Who will be watching the bags? Can someone easily get into your bag? Can they easily cut your bag and get to your bug out gear?

How many people are in the team? Can you survive if you get separated?

The number of people you are traveling with will decide the amount of special gear that is going with the team, but will you be able to survive as individuals if you get separated from your team for any reason? Could you survive for 1 day? 3 days? Longer? This brings up the important fact that each bug out bag should keep a person alive or supplement their needs outside or indoors for "x" number of days.

"x" will be determined by your bag size, carrying capacity, and needs.

If you are a fit adult without special needs... and you are also an experienced outdoorsman, "x" may be 3 days to one week, depending on your honest confidence to renew and improve upon your survival tools and supplies. Determining "x" for children, disabled, or the elderly will demand attention to their needs and their abilities to make good use of the bug out gear and stay alive until they are found/rescued.

Those with special needs may need to be in a public shelter/hospital.

Try hard to be reasonable. If you do find that you need to put a care taker or a respirator in a bug out bag, you need to be thinking about accompanying them in their stay at a public shelter or hospital. You might consider also that a person of the same sex as the person with special needs may be the only person that can accompany them. Finally, you must find out now about availability, location, and regulations.

Sincerely, Stan Faryna

-- Stan Faryna (info@giglobal.com), May 08, 1999

Answers

Would this be the apropriate place and time to ask under what circumstances a "scorched earth" policy should be considered. Never?

-- A. Hambley (a.hambley@usa.net), May 08, 1999.

Most of the people we watched leaving Kosovo left with "nothing!" The same goes for refugees from other conflicts throughout time. Whatever you pack try lugging it around a bit. If you can't make it past your own mailbox, you better lighten the load!

-- (snowleopard6@webtv.net), May 08, 1999.

There's a huge list of bug-out bags described at this link:

http://www.netside.com/~lcoble/dir9/hugelist.txt

-- Kevin (mixesmusic@worldnet.att.net), May 08, 1999.

Thread-business, Summaries, and Replies on 7:30 pm EST, May 8, 1999.

Brian: I'm hoping that you'll check out this thread and it may become worthwhile to include in you searchable archive. Nonetheless, I would like you to include your link to your searchable archive in this thread. Not only that! Email me the html code you use for announcing and linking to your searchable archive and I will try to include it my more relevant prepping threads and my responses to relevant threads.

A.Hambley: Humor is much welcomed. I noticed your humor in a few posts and it evoked a grin. Keep up the funnies, but don't get carried away.

Snowleopard: Good point and hope you throw in a few more cents to this thread. It sounds like you've given consideration to the bug out bag.

Kevin: Thank you for the link. I've never been to Frugal Squirrel's HomePage for Patriots, Survivalists, and Gun Owners. But have seen Mr. Decker mention it several times. The link is to good information that includes the opinions of books, experts, and others on survival gear.

Regulars: There were previous threads to bug out bags but I got tired of looking for them after finding one with bad links. If anyone has more patience for this task, please add the links to this thread and vice versa.

-- Stan Faryna (info@giglobal.com), May 08, 1999.

Here's an older thread on bug out bags:

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=000em8

-- Kevin (mixesmusic@worldnet.att.net), May 08, 1999.

BUYING A SURVIAL KIT OR PUTTING TOGETHER A BUG OUT BAG

There are several "affordable" survival kits on the market. The real survival kits usually range from $US 100 to $US 500. If this is all you are going to do to prepare for disasters and potential Y2K problems, this is a lot less expensive then the kind of preps people are doing for extended Y2K problems. If you want more than goes with these kits, you will probably want to put together your own bug out bag. It may even save you some money. Let's consider the advantages.

While it may be obvious to some, buying a survival kit will save you some time on research, locating retailers, and shopping for the best prices. Several "real" survival kits with costs in the $US 200- $US 500 range have a reminder service (if you fill out the card and send it in) that will remind you when somethings have expired and allow you to restock on expired supplies. Everything you may need to "survive" will be in there (this reminds me of the Prego Spaghetti Sauce Ad.)

On the other hand, these survival kits are designed around wilderness survival needs and keeping you alive until the rescue teams find you. If you are concerned that next year is going to some really bad times or you want to supplement your needs and comforts at a local shelter, the prepackaged survival kit might not be enough or too much of a good thing. Some things that are in prepackaged survival kits cannot be found in small quantities or at the best price on the retail market.

I'm putting my own bug out bags, together. I'm working on a couple of them, so I'm putting some special items in different bags as a way to distribute the load. I'm also planning on things that'd supplement a short stay in a emergency shelter, just in case our bugging out is necessary and doesn't go as smoothly as could planned. Indeed, what if fallen trees make it impossible to get out by car or truck? We'd be going to the local shelter until the trees were cleared from the road.

There is also a satisfaction in doing this myself. Knowing what goes into the survival kits in general provides me with an opportunity to put together bug out bags that represent the strengths of several of the survial kits on the market as well as is customized to special needs and comfort of my family for a variety of situations. Of course, this takes time and real interest. As long as there is no panic, there is time to do this right. Were it otherwise, I'd buy kits tomorrow.

Sincerely, Stan Faryna

-- Stan Faryna (info@giglobal.com), May 09, 1999.

Here you are Stan. Just an opinion, use a good frame pack and pack it like you are going to go hitchhiking in Europe or something. Two good packs and you can carry alot of gear between two adults. I like Jansport packs (if they are still made). Get packs with the ski slots. To handy for longer stuff. To copy and paste the Archive just open up the source code for the thread and copy between the cut lines. Or include the cut lines for others to use.

Y2K, Nakedness and Survival Under Extremes - A list of

This kit is used for Survival Under Extremes. We'll
 call it SUE.

PERSONAL Y2K, EMERGENCY OR DISASTER
 RESPONSE MOBILE PREPARATIONS

Since I"ve done a LOT of car camping and High Sierra
wilderness camping, yet still love a hot shower, Ill
share a few thoughts, and welcome yours, on Mobile
 Y2K Preparation Strategies
 

Bugout Bag

I have uploaded my bugout bag list to my web page.
 Feel free to reprint if you whish. Here is the url
 http://members.aol.com/y2koka/page/index.htm

-------------------------------------------------------------

Year 2000 Preparation Archive

Choose the category you are interested in and press Enter. The link will appear in a new page. Close window to return.

Category	Year 2000 Preparation ArchivePersonal ConsiderationsPreparationFamilyHome FoodFood Storage and PreservingGrowing FoodFood - Cooking< option>ClotheswaterSanitationHealth LightingHeatFuelAlternate powerMoney and Y2KCommunity PreparationRural LivingUrban LivingBugging outSecurity and gunsHam Radio - CommunicationsBooksLeadershipAnimals

---------------------------------------------------------------

-- Brian (imager@home.com), May 09, 1999.

As far as bugging out goes, it should be a last resort, always have a place to go, cheese is a great food for such an event, wearing warm durable clothes is a must. Boots in particular. Nothing is more important than excelent boots if you are going anywhere. If you are in a colder part of the world have the "hand warmers" with you. They are cheap and common. Go to Wally world. I have never used them but they are HIGHLY recommended for quick heat. If you are really desparate for a place to sleep look for an abandoned car. ONLY take what you need. Never have anything that looks valuable. Your bag is your life don't lose it. Have important paperwork in a passport bag on your person. Water bottles are first on a list. Cups are second. A bag of charcoal, small propane tank and burner, sterno, and other small heat sources could be a bonus. Look at what you do in your life that is a must and put it in the bag first. I am thinking soap, TP, toothbrush and what not. Well there's a few ideas.

-- Brian (imager@home.com), May 09, 1999.

Just a warning on mylar sheets, space blankets, etc. Most of them are flammable, and being so thin, they can be explosively flammable - like one second. Happened to my sister-outlaw when camping - she still has burn scars. Not to put them down - they are very useful, but just don't get them near flames, and see if you can find any of the non-flammable ones - which of course cost much more.

Regards, Don Armstrong

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), May 10, 1999.

<>

Thanks, Don. Now THAT is useful information.

camper

-- camper (goingcamping@soon.com), May 10, 1999.

Thanks Don!

The same threat would include Ski suits, they are most often made from material that will melt - burn very easily. Try and include clothes and material that is from natural fibers. Wool is hands down the best to wear with a jacket to break the wind. Leather is prefered for outer wear.

-- Brian (imager@home.com), May 10, 1999.

Non-flammable space blankets? Where can I get these? Anyone have a link for me?

Well my bug out bags are coming along rather slowly, and it's annoying that it is taking so long to put them together. Following other folk's recommendations, I have three kinds of bug out bags. Those that could go on top of my truck (should I call these BOBs?), those that go on our backs (should I call these human SUEs), and those that go on the dogs' backs (Dog SUEs). The BOBs are designed for an evacuation by car and involve many things useful to a camping group. The Human SUEs are each designed for 2 people's temporary needs at a shelter or outside.

Here's what I got so far for the Human SUEs:

BAG (Waterproof Backpack)

CLOTHING

+ 2 Pair NASA socks (look like liners but supposed to do help fight the cold)

+ 2 Pair Wool Hiking Socks

+ 2 pair NASA gloves (same as socks)

+ 2 cotton face masks (for cold faces)

FIRE (some duplication here as we all are poor fire starters)

+ 2 Bottles of NATO type wind proof-water matches

+ Magnesium Bar and Flint

+ Fire starter pellets (25)

FOOD, DRINK

+ One Packet of Premium Thirst Quencer (makes one Gallon of Electrolyte packed Drink, each in a resealable Zip Lock bag).

SURVIVAL

+ Survival Cards in resealable Zip Lock Bag

+ Boy Scout Handbook in resealable Zip Lock Bag

TOOLS AND WEAPONS

+ Leatherman Wave

+ Cattle Prod (just joking!)

+ Pepper Type Spray (pocket size)

+ A roll of dimes (grin)

SIGNALING AND COMMUNICATIONS

?

MISCELLANEOUS

+ One small travel sewing kit

+ Ben's Max 100 Insect Repellent (Lotion 6 oz)

+ Permethrin Spray Tick Repellent (6 oz)

+ 6 Blanket-size Safety Pins in resealable Zip Lock Bag

There's some other things to get, but I'd like to hear you all's suggestions.

Sincerely, Stan Faryna

-- Stan Faryna (info@giglobal.com), May 30, 1999.

In kid's school emergency packs they recommended putting in a little hand written note and a family picture or two. If in the worst case senario of being separated for family, these things could be extremely valuable to your mental state, and will to survive. For those that commute [and to those in the country that go to town for errands, etc] throw these into your car pack. Identification could be very important as well, in our area we wouldn't have been allowed to cross the roadblock after the last disaster. In a snack ziplock I put a lighter, matches, a piece of newspaper, cotton ball[with vaseline,in foil], and kid's birthday candles, one regular & one that doesn't blow out.

-- flora (***.__@_._), May 31, 1999.

Another fellow and I have put together a kit that might warrant your looking at it. It's designed for medium-long term use (with resupply from caches), and is light. 25 lbs for the basic kit, with 2 suggested weapons options for those so inclined.

Drop me an email if you want a copy of the list.

-- Bill (billclo@msgbox.com), June 18, 1999.

I'm putting together a modular "portable" survival system for my family of three, including a middle aged couple in poor health, and an undersized eight year old. I'm about to the point, now, where I'm ready to bury some provisions along expected bugout routes, but lack a plan of where to go. Even with no place to go, it made sense to pack the bags, since we may have to leave if our neighborhood becomes uninhabitable (...fire, flood, fallout, freaks, federales).

I'm making up several small survival packs for each of us to keep near our beds, near the back door, in our cars, offices & classes. These are designed to be grabbed when we have to run with no warning. They must be light enough that they won't noticably slow us down. Reasoning that one can live for months without food, it focuses more upon being able to eventually procure food, not upon carrying food from home.

The next module is the bug out bag [BOBs]. These are designed to be more than your typical so-called "72-hour" survival kit. I'm thinking of them more as "forever bags." They're packed so that any of us could get along independently of the others, but so that if we are leaving together, we could easily jettison duplications such as spare tube tents. Water is ready to take, but will be left behind if it is raining or creeks are flowing. Nonduplicat ing essential items are divied out to best approximate bags weighing only 25% of our target body weights. Although we're aware that some crazy military types are known to carry 100 pound bags amazing distances, we're unable to even lift such bags to our backs.

Additional portage bags are packed and ready to go, in case we're able to use our car(s), wagons, any of various carts, or our bicycles as "pack animals." If there is time, some of these optional items could also be included in our BOBs, if any other items (like water) are found to be unnecessary.

Finally, although I haven't yet done this part, I have a list of things to collect for loading into the car for a quick minddancr@aol.com), June 23, 1999.

...for a quick bugout by car. This project has been a low priority, because I'm not expecting to be able to use this method, mainly for lack of a place to bug out to.

-- Dancr (minddancr@aol.com), June 23, 1999.

I encourage everyone to click on Mindancer's lists!! They are probably the best thought out survival plan I have seen available. There is only one drawback:

they are NOT CHEAP and may not be completely available.

there is, however, enough redundancy there to allow for trimming, loss of availability, culling, and prioritizing.

These are aparently designed for LONG TERM whatever. Read'em ALL and make your own list from them. clicking on the variously colored items usually takes you to a link refrencing that item. EXCELLENT EDUCATION SITE!! This is going to take a couple days to study!!!

Chuck

ps an explanation of "p/w" "p/d" and "p/y" would help as "per week, day , or year" doesn't seem to fit

-- Chuck, a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), June 23, 1999.

Mindancr,

That is quite a list! Except for the first aid kits, I have completed two Human SUEs (each adequate for two persons to go seven days). I have rethought the back pack part some. The water proof back packs will now go into bigger hiking back packs with frames. Things that need to be water proofed (clothes, books, etc.) will stay in the waterproofed bags. There will also be room for non-duplicating items such as a Katadyn hand pump, petromax stove and lantern, etc.

Best regards, Stan Faryna

-- Stan Faryna (info@giglobal.com), June 23, 1999.

Chuck... Thanks for pointing out the problem with my abbreviations. I originally produced this list for my own eyes, only. I only used html because it seemed like the slickest way to organize this information. Then, once I had it a bit under control, it seemed a shame to let it go to waste, when I knew there are going to be tens of thousands of people who should see it. p/d, p/w, p/q, p/y, means pounds per person per day, week, quarter, year. These were shortened from my original abbreviations such as ppppd. g/whatever are gallons. Milk is divided out into amounts for adults and for children.

The amounts are wild guesses, based upon studying many storage tip sheets, such as various LDS plans. None of these plans provide much guidance as to how much meat to store. I have to store meat, though because my husband is diabetic and may not be able to get his medicine. He's really not supposed to eat much wheat, rice, sugar, potatoes, honey or beans, which are the cornerstones of most storage plans.

-- Dancr (minddancr@aol.com), June 24, 1999.