JonnyChapps: prepping

Hey guys. I've been slowly putting together a Bug Out Bag for a while now, and I pretty much have it the way I want so I thought I'd share it with you. Hopefully you will gain some ideas for your own personal one and share ideas with me as well.

The total weight of this pack is 20 lbs. It is an easy carry with the shoulder straps. It is in no way all encompassing, but I feel it contains enough to support me for a few days in case of emergency. This pack covers several needs for me. First, I keep it in my vehicle at all times, it serves as a "get home" bag and road survival kit for me to get home to my wife and kid. Second, it serves as a "bug out" bag for when we do leave. We also have a separate pack with tent, sleeping bags and food for long term survival.

I try to cover all the survival / rescue needs I could thing of. Fire, food, water, shelter, communication, navigation, rescue, first aid.

So, follow along as I lay it all out. I'll include links to certain items for you to check out on your own or add to your kit.

The Bag:

Outside of Bag:

1. Lightweight Nylon Ripstop Tarp 8' x 7' (Homemade) *
2. Emergency Gas/Water Shutoff
3. Nalgene 96oz Wide Mouth Canteen
4. Hard Knuckle Gloves
5. Survival / Rescue Strobe Light
6. Hand Held Radio (1 of 2)
7. Garmin Handheld GPS Unit
8. Fold Out Knife
9. CPR Mask
10. Key Ring with Handcuff Key / Fingernail Clippers / Strike Anywhere Lighter / LED Flashlight
11. Electrical Tape
Between each side pouch and main bag are extra Zip Ties

* Here is the tarp unrolled:

Top Pocket:

(All contained in Zip Lock bag)

1. Knife Sharpener
2. Rescue Whistle / Mirror
3. Fingernail Clippers
4. Lighter
5. Handcuff Key
6. Tweezers

Back Pocket:

100' Para-cord

Back Zipper Pocket:

Fold-able Saw Blade

Inside Zipper Pocket:

1. 9" Para-cord Bracelet (9' Line)
2. Butane Lighter
3. USB Cable
4. Cell Phone Wall Charger

Inside Bag:

1. Emergency Radio Charger / Manual
2. Emergency Radio / Solar Charger
3. Pepper Spray
4. Cotton Balls soaked in Ointment (Fire Tinder)
5. Butane for Lighters
6. LED Head Lamp
7. Hand Held Radio (2 of 2)
8. Pocket Reference
9. Permanent Marker / Pen
10. Survival Manual
11. Black Trash Bags
12. Compass
13. Rite in Rain Notepad / Pens
14. 2 Solar Blankets
15. Peanuts / Energy Bars

Middle Front Pocket:

1. Flashlight Wrapped in Para-Cord
2. Gerber Tool
3. Water Proof Bag
4. Allen Key Set
5. CHEM Lights (Glow Sticks)

Front Pocket:

1. Pocket Knife
2. Handcuffs

Front Medical Pouch (Quick Emergency):

1. Assorted Band-aids / Medical Tape
2. Rolled Gauze
3. Quick Clot
4. Compress Bandage
5. Latex Gloves

Medical Pouch:

1. Spare Latex Gloves
2. Dental Floss
3. Medical Scissors
4. Goodies Headache Powder
5. Insect Repellent
6. Benadryl Pen
7. Hand Sanitize
8. Eye Drops
9. Liquid Band-aide
10. Iodine
11. Antibiotic Ointment
12. Oral Gel
13. Lip Balm
14. Forehead Thermometer
15. Assorted Band-aides / Alcohol Wipes
16. Wet Wipes
17. Rolled Gauze
18. Assorted Medicine

Survival Pouch:

1. Lighters / Zippo
2. Cork / Can Opener
3. Water Purification Tablets / Straw
4. Sewing Kit
5. Lighters / Matches / Magnesium Fire Starter Stick
6. Fire Starter Sticks
7. Small Game Snare
8. Saw Wire
9. Extra Fishing Line / Zip Ties / Rubber Bands
10. Lubricant Pen
11. Adhesive Liquid
12. Compact Fishing Kit
13. Duck Tape

And there you have it. I tried focusing on all the major survival / rescue items I could think of and incorporating redundancies where I could. Trying to fit all of that into a small compact pack that could be carried for distance took some working. There was things I left out to save space and weight, but there are other things I am looking to add (such as extra zippo fluid).

I hope this has given you a list of items to add to your kit. If you have any questions feel free to ask. If you have recommendations tell me those as well.

Thank you, and happy prepping!

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