Bug Out Bag (Lite)

     I had a reader here recently ask me what were some of the things to kept in a bug out bag, it is ever changing but here are some of the basics:

• Water ( also include water purification tablets, or a good water filter )
• Snacks, munchies, power bars, granola, even a few MRE's ( meals ready to eat )
  
• Communications, AM/FM radio, Spare cell phone ( even an older disconnected one will still dial 911 )
  
• 2 flashlights.... 2 is one and one is none, have a backup ( make one a wind up type, no batteries needed )
• Warm clothing, A change of clothes goes a long way to a little comfort
• Raincoat ( a small tarp comes in handy too and does double duty )
  
• A small first aid kit
• Strike anywhere matches ( add a zip lock to keep them in and also for some dry tinder )
• Spare medications that you might be on ( rotate these so they don't go bad )
• Length of rope ( a million and one uses )
• Spare glasses if necessary
• A spare hidden debit card with a small amount of money on it or some cash
• Spare ID or other important documents that can be hidden

     Bear in mind that no 1 kit will ever be the same, they vary wildly due to location, preference, season and many other reasons.


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Arizona end of the month riots? Maybe

     July 29th is set to be the day that the controversial SB1070 law goes into effect, that is unless an injunction is issued in federal court, toss a coin who knows. In the event that the law does go into effect and you live in the Phoenix area do you have a plan if the SHTF?

     I take into account from the previous history of protests in the area that some people will not take the law going into effect lying down, when you are already illegal why not do something else illegal like riot... Now if riots do happen I would put my money Phoenix being a very interesting place...... to avoid. As for those who do live in the area it might be worth your time to have an event plan in your mind if things do go south, like:

• Have your car/ truck filled up the day before
• Plan on staying away from hot spots in contention
• Have a place to go outside the city if needed
• Know where your kids plan on being that day ( modify as needed ) 
• Is your BOB up to date?  is your car's?
• Do you have everything at home you need for a few days if need be? ( your a prepper of coarse you do )
• Consider security for the day if you own a storefront business 

     The above is only a very small partial list to think about, I would take this as a training opportunity to test yourself and family. Hopefully nothing comes of this event but better to be prepared and safe.... Take care.

Question, Why do i need a BOB

     While going over a yahoo group today someone asked why they would need a BOB, As you can imagine there will be many answers to this question. Below in red is in basic terms of how I responded.

OK now I've been pondering this question for a while.  Why would I bug out?

Bugging out should be an option and should be planned for, there may just be an event to where your house is just not going to be a safe place, it is like comparing it to the old analogy of having all your eggs in one basket. The bigger issue is actually making the decision to go, your home is home base it is where you are best stocked and most comfortable and under most circumstances the best place to be, but outside events such as certain weather or man caused event such as rioting, disease, fire, Govt telling you so.... There can be many reasons to have to leave.

I'm in rural Vermont. About the only weather related emergency we have is ice/snow storms.  In that situation there is no way I am going anywhere. I'm safer here.

True,  that is what most people would do, as long as they have the supplies to do so for an extended period of time, food, water and heat. If you run out of those then what, you might have to leave if you can or you need to be re-supplied. Communications will be key.

 

What do I need a bug out bag for? Now we do have emergency supplies in case we aren't here when an emergency hits (for the car) that includes first aid supplies, etc.  Plus we have a tent, sleeping bags, water bottles, first aid kits, solar water purifier, etc. in case we should want to leave the house for a short period of time during good weather.  Not sure exactly why I'd want to do that but I figure just in case....

Having the BOB for the car is a good thing as long as it is your car that you get to bug out in, what if the car for some reason is not available and you have to go on foot, thats where the personal BOB comes in, while not as good as what you have in the car it is better than nothing.

 

What is the purpose of me having supplies purposely for bugging out?  We are "sheltering in place" if there is any type of emergency.  We have the supplies & property here to do that.

Covered in the above but again there are just times when you have to go.

 

Someone want to share some ideas? I see so many people talking about these bug out bags but I can't figure out why exactly I'd want one?

Got BOB?

OK, who the heck is Bob?