Build the Perfect Bug Out Bag
Build the Perfect Bug Out Bag by Creek Stewart (613.69 Stewart) sincerely caters to the mind-set behind the Walking Dead – a concern for surviving the inevitable zombie apocalypse. Though you may not feel compelled to invest as much time as Creek in preparing for disaster, his recommendations are readily adapted for a number of scenarios – including making through a tsunami slamming into your tropical island vacation paradise. Some of his suggestions are amusingly dated such as using a coffee can with a wire coat hanger handle – not taking into account the scarcity of coffee cans in an era of K-cups.
Water: divide between a Nalgene hard bottle, a metal water bottle, and a collapsible soft bottle. Purification: boil, hand pump filter, integrated bottle filter, straw filter, and chemical treatment tablets. As needed pre-filter with an item such as a bandana or a dust mask. Filtering doesn’t clear out viruses; chemical or UV treatment (part of purifying) does. nalgene.com cascadedesigns.com/platypus kleankanteen.com aquamira.com katadyn.com moosejaw.com willowhavenoutdoor.com rei.com dickssportinggoods.com forgesurvivalsupply.com
Duct tape: wrap around your Nalgene bottle to protect the bottle and to serve as a dispenser roll.
MRE = Meals Ready to Eat. Typically includes a water-activated heat source. MRE providers: MREdepot.com, MRESTAR, and AmeriQual. mredepot.com mrestar.com wisefoodstorage.com mountainhouse.com survivalacres.com mreinfo.com
Powdered baby formula and disposable bottle inserts.
Swap out the food and clothing in your Bug Out Bag twice a year (November and May).
Metal cooking pot or large metal cup. Can opener – or self-opening cans. Stove options include the solid fuel tablet stove (such as the Esbit stove or the Canteen Cook System) and the pressurized gas stove (such as the MSR brand stoves). Sources include Campmor.com and CanteenShop.com. gsioutdoors.com basspro.com (glacier cup) industrialrev.com
First Aid Kits
nitro-pak.com and adventuremedicalkits.com . Repackage into watertight resealable bags and small waterproof pill containers. Items for 1 – 2 persons / 4 – 6 persons. uscav.com adventuremedicalkits.com readykor.com
- antiseptic wipes 10 / 15
- 1″ x 3″ adhesive bandages 12 / 18
- knuckle and elbow adhesive bandages 3 / 5
- adhesive wound closure strips 5 / 8
- 3″ x 3″ sterile gauze pads 4 / 8
- 2 yards of 2″ sterile gauze roll bandage 1 / 2
- 10 yards of 1″ medical tape 1 / 2
- 4″ x 5″ moleskin patches 2 / 4
- 2 yards of 3″ elastic wrap bandage
- single-use packets of antibiotic ointment 2 / 4
- alcohol swabs 4 / 6
- 200mg ibuprofen pills 5 / 8
- 25mg antihistamine pills 4 / 6
- 200mg acetaminophen pills 5 / 8
- 325mg aspirin pills 3 / 6
- 125mg Imodium pills 2 / 4
- 50mg antiemetic (Dramamine) pills 3 / 6
- sunscreen, (flammable) lip balm, eye wash
- rubber gloves, tweezers, safety pins, insect repellent, mirror, emergency survival blanket
- As is applicable: baby vitamins, baby medications, prescriptions, allergy medications, asthma inhalers, blood sugar testers, syringes, backup eyeglasses, potassium iodide pills ( www.ki4u.com and www.campingsurvival.com nukepills.com )
Hygiene Pack
- packaged soap sheets (Coleman brand)
- sanitary napkins
- antibacterial [?] wet napkins
- hand sanitizer (doubles as fire starter)
- fast-dry towel ( ultralighttowels.com )
- toothbrush and floss
- toilet paper
- As is applicable:diapers
Other items
- hand crank LED light (photonlight.com laughingrabbitinc.com )
- glow stick
- hand crank cell phone charger (and radio) etoncorp.com
- map case with important documents (ID, medical, financial, insurance), an area map and compass, and cash
- small sewing kit