Introduction: The Bug Out Bag Basics

A tornado hits. Floods sweep the country. A deadly virus is released into the population. A nuclear bomb explodes. The zombie apocalypse finally arrives.

Imagine it: you’re going about your daily business, when suddenly, disaster strikes. Are you ready?

Few people understand the real importance of preparing for major disasters, emergencies or unexpected events. By picking up this book, you’ve taken the first step in becoming a real survivor!

If one of those terrible, apocalyptic, life-changing events does take place, then chances are that a large portion of the population will be wiped out. During a time when resources, travel links and safety will be at an all-time low, you’ll need to do what you can to stay alive. If you take a little time to plan a strategy now, then you’re more likely to be one of the lucky few who survive.

You’ll need to consider slightly different things, depending on whether you’re planning for an environmental disaster, a health epidemic, a military crisis, or something a little more supernatural – or all of the above! Here, I’ll give you some of an idea of what you can do to increase your chances of survival in a whole range of situations.

The first thing that any budding prepper needs to organise is a bug out bag. This is some sort of bag which will see you through the first few days of a major emergency. The focus of a bug out bag is more on evacuation and short-term survival, rather than keeping you going for years to come, but the first few days will be crucial.

If you are in a position to stay in a location in which you are safe and comfortable – such as your own home – then obviously it would be preferable to do so. Of course this depends on the nature of the emergency and how much of a risk is posed to you. Fleeing should be seen as a last resort, which is why a bug out bag is so important. It will be filled with all the things that you need to survive for a few days, but which you simply won’t be able to get anywhere else.

Generally, bug out bags will only last you for a few days; three or four at most. You have to bear in mind that there’s a fine balance between taking enough to live on, and still being able to carry your load while you’re on the run. However, if you’re clever, you might be able to make your bug out bag last for much longer.

Luckily, I’m here to help you pack what you need, and I’ll even help you out with some of the things that bug out bags can’t prepare you for.

Strap in, because we’re about to go on a bumpy ride!