Building a Bug Out Bag for Emergencies
Emergencies happen. There are hosts of events-fires, natural disaster threats, home invasion-that demand you leave your home for the safety of you and your family. Being prepared for such times with a well thought out, efficient, bug out bag can make this process quicker, guarantee that you are read 
y for what may happen, and give you peace of mind.
The bug out bag is a collection of vital goods already assembled in a convenient, easy to transport package that assures you have what you need to live available on a moment's notice. Your bug out bag will include several families of goods vital to everyday living, providing you peace of mind when you have to leave quickly. These items are highly valued in times of crises and have proven themselves as essential when things go wrong on the homefront. One caveat: these items are suggested, but each item needs to be evaluated by you to determine the need, feasibility, and usefulness that it will provide to your personal circumstance. You may choose to avoid a set of tools if you are mechanically challenged, a weapon if you are a pacifist, or a compass if you own a GPS.
The first family discussion worth having is the bug out bag itself. Three factors need to influence the means by which you shall carry your gear: size, transportability, and practicality. You want a bag big enough to carry your gear easily without being so big that it limits your ability to haul your stuff. I use a large sized internal backpack with a fair amount of pockets and loops. Remember, though, I carry a bug out bag for a family of four primarily and a youth group of 75 teens secondarily. You may want to consider another way to carry your gear: a duffle bag, a day pack, a messenger bag, or a plastic storage tote if your vehicle is essential to your plan.
Once you decide on a bag, you need to consider some options within six gear families: food and water, shelter and heat, clothing, tools, communication, and emergency resources.
The bug out bag is a collection of vital goods already assembled in a convenient, easy to transport package that assures you have what you need to live available on a moment's notice. Your bug out bag will include several families of goods vital to everyday living, providing you peace of mind when you have to leave quickly. These items are highly valued in times of crises and have proven themselves as essential when things go wrong on the homefront. One caveat: these items are suggested, but each item needs to be evaluated by you to determine the need, feasibility, and usefulness that it will provide to your personal circumstance. You may choose to avoid a set of tools if you are mechanically challenged, a weapon if you are a pacifist, or a compass if you own a GPS.
The first family discussion worth having is the bug out bag itself. Three factors need to influence the means by which you shall carry your gear: size, transportability, and practicality. You want a bag big enough to carry your gear easily without being so big that it limits your ability to haul your stuff. I use a large sized internal backpack with a fair amount of pockets and loops. Remember, though, I carry a bug out bag for a family of four primarily and a youth group of 75 teens secondarily. You may want to consider another way to carry your gear: a duffle bag, a day pack, a messenger bag, or a plastic storage tote if your vehicle is essential to your plan.
Once you decide on a bag, you need to consider some options within six gear families: food and water, shelter and heat, clothing, tools, communication, and emergency resources.