How to build family bug out bags – 2021

If an event forced you and your family out of your home in a matter of minutes, would you have prepared enough in advance to have the right items to ensure you, your family, and your pets would be okay if you were restricted to the disaster zone and help was days away?  

If I told you that you and your family had to leave your home in five minutes from right now and survive with no help for seventy-two hours, could you do it?  In this article, I’ll walk you through the critical items you’d want to have ready to ensure your and your family’s safety.

It is a bit challenging doing articles on these bags as everyone has different needs and you’ll face different challenges based on where you live.  Also, these bags are part of a bigger evacuation system I’ve built I’ll detail in a future video, but the primary goal of these bags is simply to keep you alive for 72 hours if you had to evacuate your home quickly.   

Below are the items based on the category you need to consider.  Also, here’s a quick link to each section:

• Adult
• Children

Adults

Backpack When it comes to backpacks, the options are seemingly endless.  I have personally swapped out my backpack for the Vanquest IBEX 35 and for my wife, I set her up with the smaller Vanquest IBEX 26.  The goal is to keep the weight under 15% of your body weight and no more than 20%.

Shelter

• Survival tarp/blanket: https://amzn.to/3abIfsR
• Bivvy sack: https://amzn.to/3o9m9fR
• Mylar blanket: https://amzn.to/3yfRVgb

Water

• Water bladder: https://amzn.to/3eGbiXX
• Water bottle: https://amzn.to/3hqWPR8
• Water key: https://amzn.to/33zkmqW
• Sawyer water filter: https://amzn.to/2ZaeeDk​
• Purification tablets: https://amzn.to/3tGkFLc
• Liquid hydration multipliers: https://amzn.to/3fa1fcG
• Electrolyte tablets: https://amzn.to/2Ze7u7u
• Zipfizz energy: https://amzn.to/3y1NeGt

Light

• Red blinking light for backpack: https://amzn.to/3fa2xEy
• Headlamp (USB chargeable): https://amzn.to/2NjAHeO​
• Vipertek tactical flashlight: https://amzn.to/2Z9Iqyr​
• Glowstick: https://amzn.to/3aeTuAG

Fire

• Waterproof matches / BIC lighters: https://amzn.to/2Q8sj3m
• Fire rod: https://amzn.to/3tA8gIJ
• Firestarter (wetfire): https://amzn.to/3fg0C1j
• Aluminum foil

Navigation

• Compass: https://amzn.to/2LKDRro​
• InReach Mini GPS Satellite Communicator: https://amzn.to/3jKqDHV (expensive but allows you to send text messages via a satellite connection)
• Map: https://amzn.to/3y7zLgf

Security

• Vipertek tactical flashlight: https://amzn.to/2Z9Iqyr​
• Pepper spray: https://amzn.to/3aYnwYI​
• Tactical keychain tool: https://amzn.to/37cc1fk
• Firearm (please secure it and observe state and federal laws when carrying)

Food (3 days worth)

These options for food are really up to you and your budget. There are a lot of options on the market and the ones I list below are different options based upon what works for you.

• Millennium Energy Bars: https://amzn.to/3wjtjkR
• MRE: https://amzn.to/3foKdaD
• Freeze-dried food: https://amzn.to/3fovlJA

Clothes

• Jacket
• Leather gloves: https://amzn.to/33Aomrl
• Pants
• Sport undergarments
• Boots
• Socks (wool socks that wick off moisture)
• Baseball cap
• Bandanas
• Ponchos: https://amzn.to/3d5epbq

Medical

• Ibuprofen: https://amzn.to/3wdketM
• Israeli bandage: https://amzn.to/3jYPqYn​
• Tourniquet: https://amzn.to/3d7qOeR ​
• Moleskin: https://amzn.to/3rNSWYK​
• Gauze: https://amzn.to/3d8IhDN​
• Bandage wraps: https://amzn.to/3d70ilM​
• Sunscreen: https://amzn.to/3eE5IFl
• Sting relief: https://amzn.to/3hkRZVx
• Neosporin: https://amzn.to/3tSEiRJ
• Glue for cuts: https://amzn.to/3o70O6S
• Quikclot: https://amzn.to/3fe5nIn
• First Aid Wipes: https://amzn.to/3uFhF3l

Toiletries / Hygiene

• Hand sanitizer: https://amzn.to/3bjX9O0
• Paper soap: https://amzn.to/2QpCbWC
• Antiseptic wipes: https://amzn.to/3fed15x
• Wipes/toilet paper: https://amzn.to/2RbeTnO
• Bug repellent wipes: https://amzn.to/2RLZz0G
• Female products
• Brush with mirror: https://amzn.to/2R2JlR7
• Chapstick: https://amzn.to/3w3DQAv
• Towel: https://amzn.to/3hju8G3

Comms

• Crank radio: https://amzn.to/3tCwNgf
• Whistle: https://amzn.to/3vW8QSM
• 2-way radios: https://amzn.to/2RpCkda
• HAM radio: https://amzn.to/3yjtdeD
• Emergency signaling mirror: https://amzn.to/3bi1Jfw
• Rite in rain notebook: https://amzn.to/3rPfyrS
• Pen

Power

• Crank radio: https://amzn.to/3tCwNgf
• Solar blanket: https://www.offgridtrek.com/products/28-5w-solar-panel
• Power cords for all devices

Information

• SAS survival guide: https://amzn.to/3fo6AwV

Tools

• Morakniv: https://amzn.to/3fd8Rei
• Multi-tool knife: https://amzn.to/3vWUO3k
• Gorilla duct tape: https://amzn.to/3d9F8Uq
• Saw: https://amzn.to/2SAynCA
• Paracord: https://amzn.to/3d6CRcv
• Zip ties: https://amzn.to/3o5DUNi

Documents

• Legal docs (copies) and keep a USB thumb drive with important documents (be sure to password protect it). Have a copy of your driver’s license, SSN card, and medical insurance.
• Pet vaccinations
• Current photos of all family members in each bag.
• List of contacts in each bag, emergency phone number that everyone calls, in zip lock plus has one outside of region contact person.
• Have a meet-up plan formula discussed and maybe written down in each pack, especially if the designated spot is not next door.

Money

Cash in both bags ($100 in each bag). Put a card with your name and phone number in it in case it gets lost. Need smaller denominations.

Eyewear

Extra pair of glasses if you wear them or have contact lenses.

Children

Backpack

When it comes to children’s backpacks, you’ll need to decide what works best based on age and budget.  Be sure to keep the weight down as many smaller children may struggle to carry large amounts of weight.

Mobility

• Umbrella stroller: https://amzn.to/3uVWeuF

Shelter

• Garbage bag (heavy mil): https://amzn.to/33F4ZNG
• Bivvy sack: https://amzn.to/3o9m9fR
• Mylar survival blanket: https://amzn.to/3eW8xBM

Water

• Water bladder: https://amzn.to/3eGbiXX
• Water bottle: https://amzn.to/3hqWPR8
• Liquid hydration multipliers: https://amzn.to/3fa1fcG

Light

• Headlamp (USB chargeable): https://amzn.to/2NjAHeO​
• Glowstick: https://amzn.to/3aeTuAG

Clothes

• Have their clothes and underwear ready

Toiletries / Hygiene

• Hand sanitizer: https://amzn.to/3bjX9O0
• Antiseptic wipes: https://amzn.to/3fed15x
• Wipes/toilet paper: https://amzn.to/2RbeTnO
• Strips of soap: https://amzn.to/3ff38EG
• Chapstick: https://amzn.to/3w3DQAv
• Towel: https://amzn.to/3hju8G3

Comms

• Whistle: https://amzn.to/3vW8QSM
• 2-way radios: https://amzn.to/2RpCkda

Food

Do 3 days worth of food

• Breakfast
• — Nature valley bars/granola bars: https://amzn.to/3eUCulR
• — GoGo squeeze fruits/veggie: https://amzn.to/2Qt3XSc
• — Jif to go peanut butter: https://amzn.to/3tF9vXg
• Lunch
• — Chicken salad meal kits: https://amzn.to/3fk6xSU
• — Uncle Ben’s ready rice with garden vegetable: https://amzn.to/3hzRBmm
• — Spaghetti and meatballs: https://amzn.to/33OOM95
• Dinner
• — Uncle Ben’s ready rice with garden vegetable: https://amzn.to/3hzRBmm
• — Spaghetti and meatballs: https://amzn.to/33OOM95
• Snacks
• — Millennium Energy Bars: https://amzn.to/33Sd2Ha
• — Planters nutrition trail mix: https://amzn.to/3yj587W
• — Sunmaid raisin boxes: https://amzn.to/2RYNrtu
• — Fruit leather bars: https://amzn.to/2SZ7LeQ
• — Bag of jolly ranchers: https://amzn.to/3uZMf7N

Medical

Small medical kits for the kids

• Bandaids: https://amzn.to/2QuNVr0
• Neosporin: https://amzn.to/33OQZ43

Entertainment

• Cards: https://amzn.to/3fbMtSz
• Coloring book with coloring pencils for Evelyn: https://amzn.to/3f9dzKd

Documents Current photos of all family members in each bag. One of the group…as a single of each person and printed laminated cards for every pack.  A list of contacts in each bag, emergency phone number that everyone calls, laminated or in zip lock plus has one outside of region contact person.  I would also have a meet-up plan formula discussed and may be written down, copied, and laminated in each pack, especially if the designated spot is not next door.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this document gives you enough information to serve as a foundation in deciding what makes the most sense to add to your family’s bug-out bags.  I tried to put together categories for you to consider and what you add for each category is up to you.

As always, stay safe out there.