In the previous chapter, we looked at the foundations which should make up every bug out bag, regardless of your situation or the disaster you face. However, there you can have a whole load of variations on this original, so you can tailor make your bug out bag to really suit you.
Let’s start by taking a look at the ‘adventure guy’ bug out bag. This is for the kind of person who is a bit more comfortable with going on big adventures. Perhaps he or she is used to the great outdoors, knows some basic survival skills, or has done some hunting in the past. If this sounds like you, then you probably stand a pretty good chance of surviving some sort of apocalyptic event.
In a case such as this, some of the basic tools and equipment which I’ve already mentioned may seem a little juvenile, so don’t be afraid to pack some more specialist tools. Whatever your particular skills are, it makes sense to arm yourself so that you can use them as effectively as possible. Maybe this means packing some more sophisticated hunting gear; maybe it means stocking up on a special variety of high energy snacks that you’ve found work particularly well for you.
Even if you are one of these ‘adventure guy’ types, don’t presume that you know everything. You should still be sure to pack your bug out bag full of a wide range of items as described before, in order to cover yourself for all eventualities. Pack everything just in case, but feel free to flex your muscles by sourcing any particular items that you’re already comfortable and familiar with.
We’ve already touched briefly upon special care that elderly or infirm people will need, so this is another important consideration to make when thinking about variations on the original bug out bag. Older or vulnerable people are much more prone to the elements than younger, fit, healthy people, especially when it comes to the cold. As a result, you should pay close attention to the clothing, blankets and shelter that you pack in the bug out bag.
Essentially, this is all about tailoring the things you pack to suit your own personal needs. By now, you should have given an awful lot of thought to the type of emergency you’re prepping for, as well as the type of bug out bag that you’ll use, so you should put just as much thought into the items that you choose to go in it.
In many ways it would be easier to survive on your own, but in other ways travelling as part of a group would be much easier. If you have a family, each member should have an individual bug out bag, but there are many items that you can double up on. Think carefully about what to pack and how you organize yourselves, and you will end up with a much more effective stash of supplies.
For example, as a family you will probably only need one first aid kit – maybe two. If you go through something so traumatic that one or two first aid kits can’t patch you up, then let’s face it: you probably need to seek help from a doctor or a hospital. This means that it doesn’t really make sense to pack a full first aid kit in every single person’s bug out bag, which in turn leaves room for other essentials which would benefit everyone, such as more food.
If you’re really careful and organized, family bug out bags can vary widely from one to another. However, these variations might actually end up being even more practical than if you were on your own.
In chapter one, we talked about how your bug out bags for certain situations will vary greatly from your bug out bags for other scenarios, for example in a nuclear war versus severe flooding.
Now’s a good time to mention that if you really want to prepare yourself for every eventuality – if you really want to go bug out bag crazy – then you could pack up a whole series. That way, if a tornado hits your area, you can pick up your ‘tornado bug out bag’ and go; if there’s a major terrorist attack, you can pick up your ‘terrorism bug out bag’ and go; if aliens land on your doorstep, you can pick up your ‘alien invasion bug out bag’ and go.
At first, this might seem like a bit of an overkill, but look at it more as a project or something to aim for in time. Take it one bug out bag at a time, prioritizing the emergencies that you think are more of a threat. It might be a good idea to start with one original bug out bag, then branch out and put together other, more specialized bags for specific scenarios.
If you do decide to go down this route, then remember that each bug out bag should be kept for a specific emergency or location in which you intend to flee. When the day comes that you need to use a bug out bag, don’t be tempted to pick up two or three on your way out in some sort of panic. They will be far too heavy so will end up being a burden; they will slow you down and you will end up discarding them as you go. Of course, if you’re following this guide closely, then you should have pretty much everything you need to survive tucked away in one bug out bag anyway.
In simple terms; while you’re still living safely at home, that’s the only time when it’s a good idea to have more than one bug out bag. As soon as you up and go, limit yourself to one well-stocked bag per person.