Go Bag… What’s In It & Why
Why do you need a go bag and when would you use it? The go bag, or bug out bag as it is also called is meant for those times you don’t have time to pack the car with camping gear and all of the luxuries of life. Something is happening that you need to just get in the car and go, or worse yet, you can only grab your bag and go on foot. You’re going to want to keep this bag as close to the door or convenient as possible.
Here in Oregon, we have a lot of fires and we happen to have one that came right up to our home. We had to go right away. The beauty of a go bag is you can take it on your back or if you have the time to grab additional stuff, you can still bring it because a well thought out go bag will keep you alive for a while in any situation.
Your Go Bag or Bug Out bag will be different for each person. It will depend on how many people in your family, their ages and needs, where you are bugging out too, and plenty of other reasons. While we will put together a more in-depth list later, for now we are going to get you thinking and planning.
The first thought is what are you going to carry your stuff in and how much will it weigh. Let’s say you get the biggest back pack you can find and fill it with all of what you consider the necessities of life. You have decided you want to be prepared for a month of wild living. You pack your bag and find it is too heavy to lift. At the very least, the idea of carrying it for multiple miles is daunting.
Before you can know the size of the back pack, you will need to know what you are bringing and how you will distribute the weight. For instance, you carry x-amount of weight, your spouse carries some more weight, and your kids carry their own clothes. Maybe you have a dog that can carry their own food.
Now it’s time to go shopping and setting out your supplies. Let’s start with food… can foods are heavy and you could only carry a small amount. How about those pouches of flavored dried noodle stuff. Maybe some Ramen. Throw in some canned meat for variety and protein. Be creative and remember variety is very important. If you eat the same thing every meal, your body will begin to reject the food and you will lose weight, body mass, and energy.
Don’t forget something light to cook in and utensils to eat with! In fact, you’re going to want something to open cans with. While you can use that heavy duty knife, I find it much easier to get a P-38 can opener (sorry, that’s an Army term and they used to come in C-Rations). You can get these from sports departments, the Army-Navy store, and other places. They are flat and one part folds out to open your can. You can even keep one on your key chain. You will find many different uses for it.
Water! Yes, fresh water is extremely important. For instance, those foods I mentioned above require water to make. And, your body needs water to live. However, you can’t just go up to any stream and start drinking no matter how clear it looks (if you do have too, make sure it is flowing over rocks – still not recommended). So, a water filtration system would be important to pack. For instance, Life Straw, Sawyer, and others. They are small and light yet filter the water to keep you safe.
Heat and cooking will be important so you might want to put together a fire starting kit. For me, I pack a few Bic lighters, some fireproof matches, and a fire starting rod. Hey, the lighters are easier but I want a backup. You can save up some lint from your dryer and saturate cotton balls in Vasoline – both are excellent fire starting material. At this point, I would say practice starting fires before you HAVE to!
A first aid kit is also important. You’ll want Band Aides, Triple Antibiotic cream, gauze, and more. Again, we will put together a more comprehensive list later.
Time to stay warm… a few of those space blankets do wonders. You can cover up with them, build a shelter that reflects the heat back to you from your fire that you started above. You can even use them to get people’s attention should you be lost.
Speaking of staying warm, let’s talk about clothes. It is hard to think about staying in the same clothes for an extended period of time. However, multiple changes of clothes takes up a lot of space and adds a lot of weight. Be careful what you choose. Also, consider the time of year – you may need to change out your clothes as the seasons change. My point is, you can’t be like a Boy Scout and be prepared for every situation. You may have to wash your clothes often in a river, stream, or lake.
How about some other tools! Three things jump right out at me… a good, heavy duty knife, a good fold up shovel, and a hatchet. Those three things will help you immensely. But let’s throw in some other things. How about a fishing kit (fishing line, hooks, some weights, maybe some paper clips and make your own hooks). Rope and para cord are a definite have too. You’ll be amazed at how much you can use this (like drying those clothes from above). Duck tape is always a must for repairs and other uses.
While this is not an exhaustive list, it is meant to get you thinking. Dream up some scenarios and what you would need to survive. Take into account those that are with you. For those of you who believe in end times, this is all worth considering. If you don’t believe the Bible, well, this is good for you, too. Maybe we can talk as we both escape disaster and you can learn who Jesus is and why He is worthy of trust and faith.
Next, I’ll discuss a get-home bag and why it is important. BTW: have fun with your family or even by yourself as you get your bug out bag ready to go.
