Bug-Out Bags (Survival Backpacks)

[MacGyverCanada]

I've heard the concept of 'bug-out bags' discussed a few times on here, and I'd like to start a practical discussion on what one should have ready to go. There are quite a few factors to consider:

HOW FAR ARE YOU TRAVELLING? - Safety is a relative term, and moving a respectable distance may keep you safe from any immediate dangers. However, the idea here is to survive, and that is a different ball game. You need to find a new home which is near water, has a renewable and accessable food source, and will not be swarmed by the hungry mobs!

HOW STRONG ARE YOU? - You have to be able to carry your pack to your relocation spot. A healthy and somewhat athletic adult should be able to travel 20-30 kilometers (about 13-19 miles) per day on foot fairly comfortably. If you have small children, I know from experience as a camp counselor that kids age 5-10 tend to start complaining after about 4 kilometers. The size of your pack should also be carefully considered. If you need to move fast and far, I wouldn't recommend getting a pack that is larger that 40 litres. My tightly-packed 35 litre backpack feels fairly heavy after a long day of search & rescue operations.

WHAT ARE YOUR RESOURCES? - If you have lots of money to spend on luxuries, such as a $500.00 ultra-light super-compact all-weather tent, then by all means go out and buy that stuff now while it's still available! Even if 2012 is just a fart in the breeze, you'll have all of this cool camping gear to play with in 2013! If you are on a shoestring budget, like me, then take a survival course with a knowledgable outdoorsman and learn what you can from the internet.

FOOD, WATER and SHELTER! - Rule of thumb: "You can survive for 3 weeks without food, 3 days without water, and 3 hours without shelter". This, of course, is dependant upon both you and your environment, but it is a good rule to plan by. These are the heaviest things that you can pack! When you are walking in the summertime with a big pack, you should be drinking 3-6 litres per day. At 2.2 lbs. per litre, you can do the math.

CLOTHING - Never wear cotton!!! I've read a few pieces of 2012 advice that say "wear lightweight cotton". Cotton tends to hold any moisture that it contacts. In hot weather it soaks up sweat, making it very hard for your body to regulate heat (and it just feels totally gross). In cold weather, a little bit of sweat or moisture from the weather will suck the heat from your body. Wet skin loses body heat 25 times faster than dry skin. Wear breathable synthetic fabrics whenever possible. Suddenly, 100% polyester is fashionable again! Also, wear two or three pairs of socks; nothing decreases your mobility like a foot full of blisters!

MY BUG-OUT PACK CONTENTS - My pack list is set up for fast travel over long distances. I can wake up in the middle of the night, grab my pack and run outside in my boxer shorts, and I should be able to survive in ANY weather conditions for several days.

Water - I generally carry about 3 litres (a day's minimum supply), plus a water filter which should keep me hydrated for a few years.
Food - Enough for 2 days of normal, comfortable eating. Lightweight, high-calorie and high-protein! Also, a baggie full of Gatorade!
Shelter - A 7x12 high-strength grommeted tarp that can be a tent and ground pad all at once, and can be used as a carrying litter for injured persons.
Clothing - Very thick polar fleece pants, a hooded polar fleece sweatshirt, lightweight nylon rain gear, hat, gloves, extra socks...
Rope - 50 feet of parachute cord is compact and lightweight for shelter-building. Try to avoid cutting pieces off of the ends!
Fire Bowl - A steel salad bowl that can contain a small fire. This focuses the heat and makes your fire portable! Bring a tin cup to cook food in!
Fire-Building - Matches, lighters, flint... enough to build many fires if necessary!
Toiletries - Toilet paper, deodorant, toothbrush, etc.
Tools - LED dynamo-charged flashlight, multi-tool (Leatherman), combat knife, extra flashlights