BUG-OUT

Many Bug-Out Bag Lists to Choose From On Internet
The best way to make sure your bug-out emergency pack and vest system is packed and ready to go is to make a checklist. It also affords you a chance to customize it and for each individual's bug-out bag. This one is provided, but you may want to delete or add according to preference and needs. Beginning with items sometimes forgotten, is personal hygiene.
It is best to make a personal bug-out pack list. Each family member, including children old enough to carry a pack (child size) should have one; even your dog should have its own pack. In Section II, there is a bug-out vehicle list, if you have the opportunity to escape disaster in a vehicle instead of on foot. For those planning to use a pack animal and/or horseback transportation, add a Section III to your list. 
Horses and pack animals will require their own packing list, such as hobbles, collapsible feed/water bag, rudimentary vet supplies, farrier tools, et cetera. The down-side of pack animals is no natural grass to feed upon in winter months and other limiting factors.
SECTION I

Personal Hygiene
  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste or Baking Powder (BP was used before the advent of toothpaste, stores easily and lasts longer)
  • Hand Sanitizer (not pump type, but squeeze bottle and/or the pocket wipe types)
  • Toilet Paper (rolls or the camping packs available, like in MREs)
  • Q-tips
  • Bar Soap
  • Pocket tissues and/or at least two handkerchiefs
  • Female hygiene supplies
  • Shaving kit
  • Comb and/or brush (advise that men/women keep hair short for easier hygiene management)
  • Tweezers, nail trimmers (finger and toe)
  • Small magnifying glass for splinters and fire starting
  • Lip balm
  • Portable toilet
  • Sunscreen
SURVIVAL
  • Kitchen matches in waterproof container
  • Paraffin Wax
  • Disposable butane lighter
  • Fire Steel-magnesium kit
  • Cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly for fire starters in waterproof container
  • Emergency long-burning candles (at least four in each pack)
  • Emergency (Mylar) blanket – for warmth and treating shock – keep in individual first aid gear
  • Flares
FIRST AID
Note: there should be a basic individual first aid kit for each person/pack. If you have a vehicle, that is where a complete medic pack should be kept. Suggest to have a compression bandage in a pouch on the backpack strap or combat vest pouch on right upper chest like the military does for quick and easy access – using the wounded individual's compression bandage. Items like inflatable arm/leg splints, stethoscope, blood pressure kit, et cetera, should be stored in the group medic bag. Individuals should carry basic first aid and personal medications only for weight reduction.
  • Antibiotic ointment
  • Burn ointment
  • Hydrocortisone (anti-itch) ointment or solution
  • Cloth tape for binding
  • Antiseptic wipes for cleaning wounds or skin areas where incising is required
  • Band-Aids, assorted – including knuckle, finger, butterfly, small, medium, and large
  • Bismuth Subsalicylate oral tablets
  • Ammonia inhalants
  • Cough drops
  • Tylenol and aspirin and ibuprofen
  • surgical gloves, package, fit to individual, Nitrate best because they do not puncture easily
  • Cold/Sinus
  • Emergency card, laminated, for people with allergies and health conditions, which includes blood type. Suggest that each individual wear dog tags with such information, including blood type. Dog tags are inexpensive and are on your person all the time. If you do not wear them regularly, put them in your bug-out pack and wear them when you bug out.
  • Personal medications
  • Eye drops

Food and Water
  • 72-hour meal ready kit
  • Energy bars
  • Canteen with cover and canteen cup (like military) with pouch filled with potable purification tablets
  • Hydration bladder in bug-out pack with at least two liters of distilled water; three liters preferred
  • Spices, sugar packets, Gatorade packets
  • Beef jerky or commercial meat sticks

Shelter-Sleep, Individual
  • Para-cord, 7 strand, 550-rated, 100 feet
  • Waterproof tarp
  • Gore Tex parka and pants
  • Poncho
  • Tube tent, military style
  • Gore Tex sleeping bag, preferably military module system
NOTE: If group is using a vehicle to bug-out, a teepee-style tent is recommended, medium sized, with a wood or multi-fuel portable stove system that includes piping. Each individual should have what it needs to provide them with individual shelter, important when on the move.

Weapons, Protection, Defense (Individual)
  • Shotgun or Carbine with appropriate ammunition (120 rounds in four magazines and/or 200 round bandolier) A rifle/shotgun scabbard is optional and attached to backpack.
  • Handgun (suggest .347 or .39 Special caliber revolver because it has minimum maintenance and less parts to break down). Include ammunition and speed loaders for revolvers.
  • Pocket, Swiss Army survival style, keep in vest pocket
  • Hunting/Skinning knife with sheath
  • Survival/Combat combination knife with sheath
  • trip wire (keep in survival module)
  • Ballistic vest (optional and expensive)
  • Kevlar shooting gloves 
     
Tools (usually put in vehicle, but each individual should have at least a multi-purpose tool in a pouch)
  • Multifunction tool with pouch/sheath
  • Folding military-style shovel
  • belt axe
  • Adjustable Crescent wrench
  • Allen wrench set
  • Duct tap
    You should remember a vehicle tool repair kit.  

    Gerber Complete Wilderness Tool Kit
Miscellaneous
  • Leather maintenance kit
  • Sewing kit, like military use
  • Mosquito repellent liquid or bug spray
  • 12-hour light sticks
  • Individual flashlight
  • Individual topo map and compass
Note: Each individual should have a 2-way radio with extra batteries. The bug-out vehicle should have a 2-way base radio that doubles as a shortwave receiver. GPS unit is optional, but compass and topo map is required. Emergency fishing gear can be kept in survival kit – more sophisticated fishing gear can be stored in bug-out vehicle. A “Yo-Yo” fishing reel is a great survival item to add. It hangs on a branch at the shoreline and automatically sets hook when fish bites/nips on the baited hook via a spring system. It does not take up space, so an individual can include it in their pack.
Other personal items would be clothing. A brimmed hat of some sort works best, but a 'ball' cap or beret is fine if you have jacket with hood. You should pack one extra pair of pants – no jeans – those with cargo pockets and made of twill or canvas material is best. Shirts should be rugged and long sleeved (you can roll them up in hot weather). Have at least one set (two if not wearing one) of thermal underwear and at least two of t-shirts and boxer-briefs (not including what you are wearing). Roll clothing so they will take up less space in your pack – like the military dudes do. You should have at least three pairs of extra socks. Go for quality and Merino wool so they last long. Merino sheep wool is great for those who are allergic to wool, originally bred in Turkey and Spain, it is popular in Australia and in Vermont, United States.

SECTION II
Bug-Out vehicles are like many things a personal preference; however, certain guidelines are provided here using common sense and practicality - and depending upon family budget. Remember that it can be used regularly as a family recreation vehicle.
If you are bugging out in a vehicle, you can carry more – if you have the time to pack the extra stuff in the vehicle. Some things that will not get messed up in a vehicle parked in the sunlight (too hot) or left out in the cold is okay to pre-pack and have ready at moment's notice.
The chosen vehicle must hold all family members plus the required and chosen supplies and equipment. It should be a 4-wheel drive system or an all-wheel drive system. Focus on multi-use, just as you would when packing your bug-out bag. If you have a garage, it is best to keep the bug-out vehicle there, out of extreme temperature ranges and sunlight.
In the vehicle, you should have all the things you cannot carry in a backpack and vest system. That means extra ammunition (do not store if a vehicle is in sun). Remember that fuel mileage will be essential and add extra filled fuel cans on roof rack or provided on a carrier – outside the vehicle. Never store fuel inside vehicle – especially gasoline. It is best to have a vehicle that operates on diesel fuel, for the same reason the military prefers diesel engines: longer fuel storage life and less flammable/explosive.
If you have a bug-out vehicle, even if it is only a passenger or three-wheel ATV with trailer – you must make sure that each individual's backpack is self-sufficient. That vehicle may break down permanently or something may go wrong where it can no longer be used; which means resorting to movement strictly by foot.
James Yeager made a video (two) showing how he set up a trailer in case he must bug-out ...
Part Two, Yeager's Bug-Out Trailer ... 

 Having a vehicle has obvious advantages. Some of the disadvantages are:
  • Creating dependence upon a vehicle instead of individual carry.
  • It may be too large to negotiate certain terrain.
  • When a disaster strikes, roadways will be a mess and may be impassable. That is where the choice of a smaller 4-wheel drive or passenger ATV with bed and trailer comes in handy.
  • Added cost to your bug-out equipment preparation list.
  • Mechanical failure with no spare parts available – which requires carrying certain spare parts like belts, bulbs, et cetera, which adds to cost and weight.
If you decide to use an RV – recommend that it not be too large, an economical 4-cylinder diesel engine (like Mercedes or new innovations by US manufacturers). Advantages is it becomes an instant, mobile sleeping quarters. Reliability is better than looks, for example, using a 5-ton command military truck as an RV is useful and practical; but fuel economy is lost. As noted, diesel engine fuel last ten times longer than gasoline (without special additive) and diesel engines are known to require less maintenance and the engines last longer. Multi-fuel engines, like the military uses, means that diesel, heating oil, kerosene, and lower octane jet fuels can be used. Vehicles that are easy to repair is essential; which means military surplus may be a good option. Don't forget to obtain the military manual for that vehicle.
Manual transmissions are more reliable with better gas mileage than automatic transmissions. You might want to consider to choose your bug-out vehicle with a manual transmission, like military surplus and then teach members of the family how to drive 'stick shift'. Statistics show that manual transmissions are less likely to get stolen because less people today know how to drive them. If your starter system goes funk, a stick shift can be started without a starter with a push and a couple of miles per hour down hill – clutch in, ignition on, clutch out in second gear.
5-Ton Multi-Fuel Diesel Command Truck with expansion
Military vehicles like Humvee and 5-ton trucks today have heavy-duty automatic transmissions.
If you decide to pull a small trailer for extra stuff – use the military style, not the commercial style. The military pintle trailer system is designed for off-road and rugged terrain use. It is not much work or trouble to change from commercial style to military style if you have access to a welder/cutting torch. If not, the local welding shop can handle it. The pintle trailer and vehicle parts can be purchased from manufacturers online. You can weld or purchase a pintle system on a channel bar so you can switch from commercial to pintle military system quickly. Whichever suits your needs.
All in all, common sense and practicality is the gist of all of this. Stay away from advice from amateurs like those found on YouTube. Stick with military manuals for reference – tried and proven in the field, not a weekend-warrior, prepper groupie.
Once you have established your list and filled your bug-out bag; plan camping trips and/or at least practice in your backyard. Make sure that all family members know how to use everything in their bag and are aware of multiple applications available. Teach them to think and be innovative when dealing with survival situations. Make sure each member of the family, old enough, is properly trained in how to safely use firearms, bows, and crossbows. Practice for efficiency and familiarization of individual equipment.
It can all be a fun and interesting experience and it brings the morale of family fellowship into the picture.
Hopefully, your bug-out pack system will not be needed – but you can have peace of mind that if it is, you will be ready. 

A complete first-responder professional medic bag should be kept ready at all times to be put in bug-out vehicle; used in the meantime as a home emergency medical kit. Study and obtain homeopathic herbal remedies and prepare as part of your bug-out kit system.  One person in your family should be Red Cross certified or similar training. A copy of the Special Forces Medical Handbook should be in the family medic bag and a Special Forces Survival Manual in the bug-out vehicle or one of the individual backpacks. 

Consider strategic planning. Remember, not all family members will be together when an emergency arises. Have a predetermined location where family can meet up, with their bug-out gear, and then proceed as required from there. Some people have property in a remote location, and that is where they plan to head during an emergency disaster situation. Whatever meets your needs and affordability is best.
Video of bug-out vehicle in Idaho ...

If you live in an urban area, it will be difficult to leave the city, especially in a vehicle. If you live near a large body of water, like the Great Lakes or the ocean – you might consider a boat as a bug-out vehicle. An excellent method of getting away from calamity. Of course, that may depend upon what season it is. Winter travel on the Great Lakes is impossible, for example.
Special driving techniques can be learned and practiced in case of an emergency situation; for example learning how to make a “J” turn. 

One additional note: if you have a vehicle solely designed for 'bugging out' - make sure you run it once in a while (once per week or every couple of days in cold weather) to make sure the battery is properly charged, everything is in working order, and engine is lubricated properly. 
 If you think Preppers exist only in the United States, think again ... they exist in Australia, and as this video demonstrates, in the United Kingdom, probably because of the threat of internal subversive Islamic Jihadist threat ...
Preparing for disasters is a world-wide concern - whether you drive on the right side or left side of the road.  
For those in the family who require shaving instruments, I suggest packing a straight razor and strop with badger brush and shaving soap. If you pack a mug, pack a metal shaving cup, not a ceramic one. Learn how to shave with a straight and safety razor. After finding out how efficiently shaving is with a safety razor, you may go to using it all the time. Cartridge razors are useful for extended wilderness existence; but a straight razor can be sharpened and kept honed with a leather strop and sharpening stone. A straight razor that is not the reusable blade type is best choice for packing in your bug-out backpack.
Also in the UK, a Prepper and his Toyota custom Bug-Out off-road vehicle ...




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