BUG OUT / GET HOME BAG

I spent a lot of time thinking about and then researching what I thought I would want to have in an emergency situation if I had to leave my house quick or get home from work after a disaster. I don't work far from home (about 8 miles), but if things were really messed up, it could take me hours to get there. I might even have to hunker down for 24 hours or more.

So I started with the basics and piled it into this little bag I picked up at a surplus store for $7.95. It's about 7" x 4" x 2", but crammed it looks a bit bigger. It has belt loops on the back, but i probably would never carry it like that. I added a piece of climbing accessory rope to one zipper so I could locate the zipper quickly and get it open easier.

I lined the inside with a gallon Ziploc bag with the zipper par cut off.

Inside I put various items inside smaller zip bags:

Tea bags & instant coffee sachets

Sugar and beverage whitener

Electrolyte drink mix

Basic First Add (plasters, various OTC meds, ointments, etc.)

Individual eyedrops

Firesteel & striker

Box of waterproof matches and TP packet from MRE (for tinder)

Esbit Pocket Stove w/ 4 fuel tabs

Water purification tablets

Small roll of duct tape wound around index card. Inside is stashed 2 large needles, thread, and about 4' of small guage brass wire.

Pocket saw

Pocket Magnifyer

Extra Ziploc bags

2 Gu energy gels

Here's a little closer shot of some of the items.

I have to say that just having this made me feel very empowered. Once I put all the other items together (described in new posts to come), I find I am less fearful in general during my everyday life. It is very comforting to know I have everything I need to survive a few days outside my normal comfort zone if need be.

There are two other bags that make up the total kit, but this bag is the one that goes literally everywhere with me these days.

If you haven't put one of these small kits together for yourself, don't put it off. Do it now while it is easy to do and you can find and buy everything you need. Don't wait until it's already a disaster and then try to gather it while millions of other people are doing it and freaking out.