Liberty Lighthouse Journal: Bug-Out Bag and Survival System

Bug-Out Bags are nothing new to military families stationed overseas. In an emergency, military dependents are expected to have such bags prepared and ready at a moment's notice in case of evacuation of non-combatant personnel stationed in US Armed Forces posts. Military commands provided a list of what should be in each individual bag and an extra duffel bag for supplies and clothing for small children. For preppers, the content is a bit different in that wilderness survival gear is included and a special canine pack is prepared for the four-legged member of the family that includes rations of their food and water inside. Preparing for disasters is prudent – earthquakes, forest fires, floods, or break down of civilization for other reasons. For many, it is not a question of 'if', but 'when'.

Self-defense weapons is not a macho thing, it is common sense. Those that did not prepare are going to try to take what you have, and there is always the presence of society's criminal predators already in existence who will become rogue when law enforcement measures breaks down. Besides, law enforcement and the national guard cannot be everywhere at once – and history shows that law enforcement and the cavalry always shows up after the fact. Not a criticism, just a fact.

Tactical Vest (can be worn under rucksack)

The primary concern of a bug-out pack system is weight. It is not much of a concern if you are bugging out in a vehicle – but what happens if you are forced to bug out on foot? Having a vehicle available is optimum, which affords people to have a place to store emergency rations and extra water. Each bug out pack should have personal items for the carrier, plus rations of food and water. Group supplies, like medical and survival items can be distributed among the family/group; but a basic survival kit should be in each individual's pack in case the group becomes separated for some reason. There is a wonderful array of lightweight durable items that can be included in your bug out inventory. Would it not be nice to have a reference library to take along?

Technology has allowed this to happen, and the Kindle e-reader is a good choice because the battery lasts for weeks. It is rugged, especially with cover accessories and stored in a waterproof container or military map case. Battery charging is not a problem if you have a vehicle, but if you are hoofing it, a solar battery charger should be included in your list. In my bug-out system, I have a Special Forces medical manual and survival book in paperback. The great thing about the Kindle is that it can hold thousands of books. Each person can have one in their bug out system with a personal library selection as well as the necessary survival reference books. The battery lasts a long time and can be recharged with solar system or vehicle electrical system.
The Art of Manliness website, one of my favorite sites, published an article by a guest, written by Creek Stewart, senior instructor at the Willow Haven Outdoor School for Survival, Preparedness & Bushcraft. He goes into detail as to why a Kindle should be included in your bug out pack.
In this article, I mention a tactical vest. This is because a person can carry more if along with a backpack one includes the military vest and load-carrying system. This system has proven useful to combat soldiers and Marines, and can be adapted for personal survival situations. It has accessories like pouches and pockets, as well as places to attach other items for quick access instead of taking off backpack whenever something is needed.

Stewart has also written an article entitled How to Make a Bug Out Bag; as well as a book entitled Built the Perfect Bug Out Bag, which I recommend for reading and adding to your Kindle library.

Survival Lilly talks about a bug-out system that is tailored to outdoors women ...

Remember that in a family or bug-out group, some items need not be duplicated such as an ax. The stronger individuals will have larger bags. One person in group may be designated as a medic and thus carry the fully paramedic bag along with personal gear.
The following diagram provides an idea of an inspection layout that proves useful to ensure that nothing has been forgotten, along with check list, when packing for a readiness pack system.

Standard Rucksack Layout

Notice that everything is removed from rucksack and tactical vest and placed upon a poncho liner, which also makes a good light blanket. I suggest pack military poncho with liner, but a lightweight rain suit (or just the pants) can be added. The poncho will cover you and your pack in rainy weather. The rain suit provides more mobility however. The poncho also doubles as a temporary shelter. Throughout this article there will be suggestions, but several items are personal choice. Always use items that have multi-purpose uses. For example a folding shovel that is also a pick and axe. This saves on weight if one used individual use items. Survival heat retention tents are lightweight tubular material that beats carrying around a tent system, even if it is individual.
Remember the golden rule: Better to have and not be needed than needed and not have.

For proper hydration, you will need one liter of water per day. You cannot survive long without water, much less of a time than without food. If you are putting together a 72-hour survival kit, this means 3 liters of drinking water (minimum); attainable through the hydration bag system. An army canteen, standard of the expanded desert variety, filled with drinking water and attached to the belt of your combat vest. Make sure that the military canteen includes the metal drinking cup which is great for boiling water collected in the field. Canteen covers usually have a small pouch pocket, that is where you put your water purification tablets. Do not forget to include a Katadyn Hiker Filtration System – expensive but worth it. Of course, if you can handle the weight (1 gallon of water = 8 pounds), the hydration system will provide more water. In some areas natural water source may not be readily available. Using the system in survival manuals, you can collect water from condensation and the material needed to make it is very light.

Vehicle Food Pack

Next is food. It is tempting to put canned foods in your pack. Trust me, you don't want the extra weight. The US Armed Forces went to the light field rations from the “C” rations for just that reason – the weight. Include a can opener or one that is included in a Swiss Army type survival knife, just in case you need to open a can. The only disadvantage of the ready-meal kits is that they are not “ready” without hot water. Do not forget equipment/supplies to clean cooking utensils and mess kit with. A small bottle of bleach put into a zip-lock bag is recommended. The bleach goes a long way to clean and sanitize eating utensils and backpack cookware. I also include a utensil tool with fork, knife, and spoon in one convenient tool. A military mess kit works just fine, all packed in one neat package. Use stainless steel items for easy sanitation and boil water for rinsing - not drinking water, but water collected in camp.
The quick meal system provides less labor in preparing meals.

Collapsible Bucket

A collapsible bucket is useful for washing and rinsing cookware. It doesn't weigh much and can be attached to a rucksack. Useful for gathering water from natural source. I would like to add here that I do not use soap in wilderness. If you have watched Survival Lilly videos, she bathes in streams, rivers, and lakes bathing with just the water. This prevents pollution. You can still get clean, you just won't smell as pretty as with soap. The safest soap I found has been Dawn, and it cuts through grease in cookware. I still would not allow it to be used at a water source. Using a few drops of Bleach in water to clean cookware is fine and a few ounces in a small container won't weigh much. A few drops goes a long way. Use only natural bleach - not the scented kind; especially for sanitizing drinking water. Water purification tablets are best for that purpose.
There are compact stoves that operate on kerosene and camp-stove fuel or propane, and this would be okay for a pleasure camping trip, but not for survival. Choose a compact, folding stove that can be used for burning sticks and small branches. Don't forget the fire-starting kit that should be included in your basic survival kit. The stove serves dual purpose – heat in your shelter and cooking. When using a fire in a confined space, remember the danger of carbon monoxide. The small stove is better than a campfire, easier and safer. Recently two campers did not properly put out and cover their campfire and the coals were inflamed by wind and caused a terrible forest fire. I prefer the small portable stove that uses natural fire material. This saves on the weight of carrying fuel for propane/kerosene and need to build a campfire. As far as fire starting gear, the survival kits are okay and should be packed, but if there is any sunlight it is quicker and less use of energy if you use a magnifying glass focused upon tinder until it flames. Blow on the tinder to get flame going. The other fire starting methods are okay if you are making a fire when the sun is not up or cloudy days. So on your survival module list, include a small magnifying glass. It weighs nothing and doesn't take up much room.

Next is clothing. Waterproof jacket and pants, as well as the military poncho. The poncho should be oversized in order to fit over your backpack system. Quality hiking boots. An extra pair of pants that is not 100% cotton. The military style pants are great because of their useful pockets, and loose for air circulation. Do not wear or bring blue jeans. Also, include one set of thermal underwear, two extra T-shirts and two boxer-brief shorts. 1-2 extra shirts. Gloves. 2-4 pairs of quality wool knitted socks.

Change socks regularly and attach sweaty socks to outer backpack when on the move so they dry and air out in the sun. The military stresses upon the care of feet – an army cannot move without them. Roll all clothing like the military does and clothing will take up less space, plus you would be surprised how it prevents wrinkled clothing – not that it matters in a survival situation.

Don't forget a small towel for drying after a bathing session in local water source and a washcloth for hand washing from a collapsible bucket.

Gaiters

Waterproof gaiters is recommended - especially for folks in snow country. It keeps snow from working inside your boots and getting your legs wet and since they are light, they can be used in other seasons to keep debris and critters from crawling into your boots - and reduces chance of snake bite. At the very least, blouse your pant leg inside your boots or by using the military blousing devices. Choosing clothing and gear according to climate and terrain cannot be over emphasized. When packing a poncho, don't forget a poncho liner. It provides more warmth and can be used for doubling the layer of a short-term shelter, which also provides warmth retention.

A sleeping bag is essential, although the heat-retaining emergency blanket is good in a pinch. If you want a light system, stick to the 30-40 degree bag. If you want an ultimate system, but little more weight, choose the military modular sleeping bag system. It will keep you warm in even sub-zero conditions, and is flexible because it is a layered system. Don't forget to protect your sleeping bag or sleeping bag system from the elements. If you can handle the extra weight, a good Swiss wool army blanket would be an excellent addition. Wool maintains 80% heat and useful even when wet. The modular system is going to add weight to your rucksack.

US Army Modular Sleeping System with foam sleeping pad

A small personal firestarter kit as well as first aid kit is essential. If you have a medic-trained person in your group, that person might want to carry more than just basic first aid.

Tools you will need includes, but not limited to: survival knife, Swiss Army survival knife, multi-tool pliers kit, combat knife, hunting knife system with skinning blade, ammunition, rifle/shotgun and handgun of choice. A machete and survival ax should also be considered, remember to look for multi-use items for reduction of weight.

Two things that people often forget: toilet paper and for females, female hygiene items. For infant bug-out items, don't pack disposable diapers. Pack a few cloths with safety pins, the old-fashioned way, having to wash soiled ones as needed. There are small essential in life that we often forget.

I still have my Army map case.

Included in a military map case, you should store any important documents. Suggest that you keep your wallet with your driver's license in your cargo pants pocket or one of your pouches of your combat vest. A small address book with important information like addresses, account numbers, et cetera. Note: It wouldn't be a bad idea to have military dog tags made for each family member. It should have name and blood type at the least. Your social security number on it would be a personal choice.

Next is navigation. This may be a simple compass or a battery-operated GPS, I suggest both. It would not hurt to have a topographical map of your area and/or the area you intend to bug-out to. You can purchase topo maps from government or civilian sources. Keep the maps in a waterproof military map case, which includes holders for pens/pencils and a notebook. I suggest the military standard compass to be included. GPS is okay, but what if it doesn't work (you have to carry spare rechargeable batteries for all electronic items) or the satellite system goes down? A small solar battery charging system would be beneficial. It would be beneficial if you had a fold-up US highway map in your bug-out system at the very least.

Topographical (Topo) Map

As far as firearms, that also is a personal choice. The AR rifle is lightweight and is chambered in several calibers. Remember that combat ammunition load is 200 rounds plus four loaded magazines in tactical vest and one loaded mag in rifle. This is added weight. A sidearm as pictured in tactical vest photo would be a good idea. It also requires ammunition and at least two magazines, one spare and one in sidearm. Whether you choose a semi-automatic military type sidearm or a revolver, that would be the individual's choice. This also adds weight.

An item that would be a good idea to have is a crossbow with pack of bolts. For vehicle bug-out, no problem, but this also would add more weight for whoever is carrying it. The crossbow (or if you rather have a compound or recurved bow, is an excellent hunting weapon. It is silent and most of the time the bolts can be retrieved for reuse, unlike firearms.

There is also a list of miscellaneous items you can stick in your bug-out pack system. For example, an emergency dental kit, 100-feet or more of paracord, duct tape, trip wire (Army surplus is best), two bandannas, leather work or shooting gloves (a pair of warm mittens in backpack), spare rechargeable batteries, small sewing kit, tent repair kit, several heavy duty 30-gallon trash bags, small fishing kit (usually included in commercial survival kits), P-38 can opener, sunglasses, whistle (usually included in survival kit), lightweight stakes, earplugs.

This double canister may interfere with rifle firing.

Some folks add a military-issue gas mask with case and spare filters; but this must be a personal decision. If there is a chance of the air being polluted with something, it might be a good idea to include this item that is not too expensive purchased as military surplus. Before you purchase surplus gas masks instead of industrial type available, read this article. You don't want to find out it doesn't work when needed. Spend a bit more and get the ones available on commercial market.

Don't forget to include a personal first-aid kit. If you are bugging out in vehicle, I suggest a complete medic kit. The good ones cost $300 to $400, complete with bag. I like the military medic bag, but your choice. If you decide to carry the medic bag (or whoever decides to do so) - this is more weight.

After you have laid out all your individual equipment, you can see that the items add up. The following is a squad carrying a full combat load that includes an NBC suit with gas mask and required ammunition.

This squad is on level ground.

As you can see, you better be in top shape if you think you are walking around with this stuff. If the terrain is rough, it is worse. Hopefully you will be able to use your bug-out vehicle.