Bags, packs and kits for bugging out
What makes a good emergency kit, survival kit or bug-out bag? Well, that depends on who you ask. Some believe all you need is a knife, a firearm and some matches, while others pack almost everything but the kitchen sink. These seven Shooter’s Log readers reveal what they keep in case of emergencies. Do their lists match yours?
I admit, I have been a prepper—to various degrees—for decades. In that regard, my plans have always been to bug out if things got rough. With that in mind, a seismic shift went through our prep plans when we came to the obvious conclusion that unless it was BAD, we needed to bug in.
Did you ever notice that looking at a gun is like morphologically analyzing a family member? Perhaps that is why most tactical weapons come from recognized families. Master Stoner or Comrade Kalashnikov beget the lion’s share of them. Those left over hearken from John Moses Browning or one of half a dozen lesser minds. The point is, most modern weapons simply evolved from something simpler. That is just not the case with the Kel-Tec RFB.
During an emergency panic can easily take over and cloud your thinking, as well the thinking and actions of those around you. Having a plan is only half the battle. After all, having a tourniquet in the right scenario can be a life saver, but you have to know how to apply it; it will not apply itself. The same is true of a plan. If you have not rehearsed it, trying to figure it out in the middle of a natural disaster is a disaster of a whole other kind.
In the majority of crisis situations, no matter what the crisis is, you want to do the exact opposite of the mob of people. In other words, instead of running to the bank or the ATM machine, you want to check in with your family and make sure they’re safe. Check out these and other tips for surviving a crisis.
While some of you may still be shoveling snow, other parts of the country are experiencing damaging and fatal floods and tornadoes. Spring has definitely sprung and with that comes not only weird, but also severe weather patterns. Long-range weather forecasters, as reported from Accuweather.com predict a worse storm season this year than we experienced in 2012 with “above-normal amount of tornadoes this season.” Whether you live in Denver and are dealing with late-season snowstorms, or in humid Houston with threats of floods, your spring bug-out bag needs to include three days worth of essentials that will carry you through power outages and utility loss.
As of May 21, 2014, 485,181 acres have already burned due to forest fires. Unfortunately, the U.S. isn’t even in peak wildfire season yet. Learn how to protect your home and your family by reading this guide. It will tell you how to prepare beforehand, how to create a safe zone around you home, what to do if you have to stay and defend, and what to do after the fire.
A bug out bag is any bag or container stocked with essential survival items that will see you through any type of emergency or disaster, at least for 24 hours. Usually filled with either water or a way to get safe drinking water, food—like energy bars or MREs—a way to start a fire, copies of important documents and a good knife, but out bag are designed to be a grab and go carry all if you have to evacuate or bug-in at home due to bad weather, power outages or civil unrest. Cheaper Than Dirt! presents its essential guide to packing a bug-out bag. This post highlights the top 10 articles guiding you through prepping for an emergency—earthquakes, storms, flu, zombies, hurricanes and other man-made or natural disasters.
Are you planning your summer vacation? Is your bug-out bag included on your packing list? It should be. Check out this post to find out if you are missing these 26 essential items that need to go with you on your summer road trip.
Have you finally been convinced you need to start prepping, but have no idea where to start? Do you realize that after watching survivor type shows, you have nothing to get you through a night where you have to survive out in the field? A woman’s needs and abilities are different from a man’s needs. Follow this guide to building a bug-out bag to help get you started.