Bug-out bag
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A bug-out bag[1][2] is a portable kit popular in the survivalist subculture[3] that contains the items one would require to survive for seventy two hours[4][5] when evacuating from a disaster. It is also known as a 72-hour kit.[6] The focus is on evacuation, rather than long-term survival, distinguishing the bug-out bag from a survival kit, a boating or aviation emergency kit, or a fixed-site disaster supplies kit.
The term bug-out bag is related to, and possibly derived from, the "bail-out bag" emergency kit many military aviators carry. The concept passed into wide usage among other military and law enforcement personnel, though the "bail-out bag" is as likely to include emergency gear for going into an emergency situation as for escaping an emergency.
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[edit] Rationale
The primary purpose of a bug-out bag is to allow one to evacuate quickly if a disaster should strike.[7] It is therefore prudent to gather all of the materials and supplies that might be required to do this into a single place, such as a bag or a few storage containers. The recommendation that a bug-out bag should contain enough supplies for seventy two hours arises from advice from organizations responsible for disaster relief and management that it may take them up to seventy two hours to reach people affected by a disaster and offer help.[4]
In addition to allowing one to survive a disaster evacuation, a bug-out bag may also be utilized when sheltering in place as a response to emergencies such as house fires, blackouts, tornadoes, and other severe natural disasters.
[edit] Typical contents
The suggested contents of a bug-out bag vary, but most of the following are usually included:[8][9][10]
- Enough food and water to last for seventy two hours. This includes:
- 4 litres (1 gallon) of water per person per day, for washing, drinking and cooking.
- Non-perishable food.[11]
- water purification supplies.
- Cooking supplies.[12]
- Cutlery and cups/dishes.
- A first aid kit.[13]
- Fire starting tool (i.e. matches, ferro rod, lighter, etc.)
- A disaster plan including location of emergency centers, rallying points, possible evacuation routes etc.
- Professional emergency literature explaining what to do in various types of disaster, studied and understood before the actual disaster but kept for reference.
- Maps and travel information.[14]
- Standard camping equipment, including sanitation supplies.[15]
- Weather appropriate clothing (poncho, headwear, gloves, etc.)
- Bedding items such as sleeping bags & blankets.
- Enough medicine to last an extended evacuation period.
- Pet, child and elderly care needs.[16]
- Battery or crank operated Radio.[17]
- Lighting (battery or crank operated flashlight, glow sticks).[18]
- Firearm(s) and appropriate ammunition, depending on local laws.
- Crowbar (weapon, building and vehicle entry, etc.)
- Cash and change, as electronic banking transactions may not be available during the initial period following an emergency or evacuation.
- Fixed-blade or folding knife.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ J. Allan South, The Sense of Survival, Chapter 11 (Equipment), Bug-Out Bag Contents, p. 221, Timpanogos Publishers, Orem, Utah, 1990, ISBN 0935329005
- ^ Lundin, Cody, When All Hell Breaks Loose: Stuff You Need To Survive When Disaster Strikes , Chapter 3 (Includes a Bug Out Kit list) Gibbs Smith, Publisher, Layton, Utah, Sep. 2007
- ^ Rawles, James Wesley, Rawles on Retreats and Relocation, The Clearwater Press, Kooskia, ID, 2007, p. 5
- ^ a b "Disaster Supplies Kit- Canadian Red Cross". Redcross.ca. 2007-05-03. http://www.redcross.ca/main.asp?id=000289. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
- ^ "FEMA: Disaster Planning Is Up To You". Fema.gov. http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=35169. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
- ^ "72 Hour Kit How to Make a 72 Hour Kit for Emergency Preparedness". Lds.about.com. http://lds.about.com/od/preparednessfoodstorage/a/72hour_kit.htm. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
- ^ Dr. Bruce Clayton, Life After Doomsday, Chapter 3 (To Flee of Not To Flee), p. 39, Paladin Press, Boulder, CO, 1980
- ^ J. Allan South, The Sense of Survival, Chapter 11 (Equipment), Bug-Out Bag Contents, p. 221, Timpanogos Publishers, Orem, Utah, 1990 ISBN
- ^ Building Kits: Getting Prepared takes commitment, by Mike Peterson, American Survival Guide Magazine, Dec., 1993, p. 76
- ^ Survival Skills Intensive Training: Assembling the Bug Out Kit, by Christopher Nyerges, American Survival Guide Magazine, May, 1998, p. 26
- ^ Rawles, James Wesley, Rawles on Retreats and Relocation, The Clearwater Press, Kooskia, ID, 2007, p. 133
- ^ Rawles, James Wesley, Rawles on Retreats and Relocation, The Clearwater Press, Kooskia, ID, 2007, p. 119
- ^ Survival Kits: Consideration of personal situations in making your own kits, by Hal Gordon, American Survival Guide Magazine, Nov., 1986, p. 57
- ^ The Commuter Kit: Essential Tools for Daily Commuters, by M. Marlo Brown, American Survival Guide Magazine, Jan. 2000, p. 112
- ^ Survival Kits: Critical 10 Percent, by Daniel C. Friend, American Survival Guide Magazine, Mar. 1990, p. 30
- ^ Rawles, James Wesley, Rawles on Retreats and Relocation, The Clearwater Press, Kooskia, ID, 2007, p. 121
- ^ Rawles, James Wesley, Rawles on Retreats and Relocation, The Clearwater Press, Kooskia, ID, 2007, p. 120
- ^ Rawles, James Wesley, Rawles on Retreats and Relocation, The Clearwater Press, Kooskia, ID, 2007, p. 31
