Each Emergency Bug Out Bag Should Have Self-defense Items
While being locked down in the safety of your home, you can pretty much relax because you know those windows and doors are securely closed. However, if you find yourself bugging out in the wild, you’re a lot more vulnerable.
There are all types of dangerous people or events that can put you or your family in danger, so you’ll want to have some self-defense tactics you can use while out and about to keep you safe.
The best self-defense is to avoid a fight. If you can go around the problem, do it. You don’t want to have so much self-confidence that you do something foolish.
A self-defense course that includes elements of martial arts is an invisible type of weapon that everyone in your team, even children, should take. It will help you avoid injury if someone or something tries to hurt you.
But for your bug-out-bag, be sure to include some self-defense items. After all, you may need to fend off both animals and humans when you’re bugging out, and running away isn’t always an option.
If you’re comfortable with it, this could possibly be your best option. You can bring a high-powered rifle or a small, pocket-sized gun. Not only can these be used to defend yourself, but they can also be used to hunt for food if you are ever starving.
Of course, you’ll need to buy ammo for your firearms, as well as anything you need to clean and maintain them. It’s also a good idea to put a few safety precautions in place so that youngsters aren’t able to hurt themselves unintentionally. And it’s a good idea to teach kids about gun safety, too, because even if it’s not locked away somewhere, it might still pose a threat.
If you’re hiking or backpacking, you want to bring along some bear spray or regular pepper spray. This stuff can usually help to slow down any kind of attack and will give you the chance to make a fast getaway. Just make sure everyone knows how to use it, especially how to be careful not to get any of it in their eyes.
Don’t underestimate the power a good blade can have when it comes to self-defense. You can either carry a small pocket knife or a slightly bigger one. There are also special straps that keep it hidden from everyone. This way, nobody will even know you’re armed.
A pocket-sized device that delivers an electric shock? Sounds like something out of a science fiction movie! But, it’s absolutely real! It’s a type of gun that, when fired, emits a high-voltage shock. It might be useful to have in your “bug out” kit. It’s so tiny and affordable, and it can be used on animals or humans. However, I wouldn’t recommend using it on anything large like a bear. Because it’s so tiny, you’ll have to get closer to it.
Which essential food and water gear should you pack in your bug out bag?
When preparing for a survival situation, two necessities come to mind: food and water. It’s not only about making sure you have everything you need to survive right now, but also about how you can acquire more later on. Try to pack lightweight items that can be refilled easily. If you run out of water, you can collect rainwater, melt snow, or boil and purify water from natural sources. Water purification tablets are another useful tool.
Food in your emergency backpack should be nutritionally dense enough to meet your basic calorie requirements and provide you with the energy you need to hike, construct your campsite, and more.
It has to be lightweight enough to transport in a backpack or bug out bag. Dried foods are a good option because they weigh less, don’t take up much space, and all you have to do is add water.
You also want to pack some yummy stuff! Peanut butter in a pouch, not a big jar, for example. Chicken and tuna in pouches! Rice, because I’m sure you want those carbs. Also, nuts can be a good option. They’re really high in calories!
As you’re packing, don’t include any perishable goods, and stick to low-sodium foods that don’t make you thirsty. Pack items to help you hunt for fish and animals, or hire a local guide for assistance in identifying edible indigenous plants and fruits.
When it comes to choosing between filtered and purified water, you have to decide between taking enough with you to last until you can access another clean source. While you can carry around large amounts of filtered water with you, it gets pretty heavy.
Nowadays, you can find great survival kits with a built-in water reservoir. This helps you to carry enough water for your emergency needs without having to take up too much of the space in your kit. It’s essential to have a map of the local terrain, so you know exactly where the freshwater sources are located. The compass will let you know which direction you need to go.
So, you’ve managed to find some water. Now what? It’s time to purify it. It’s crucial to remove toxins that could make you and your pets sick. There are filters available for water bottles that will filter up to one thousand to ten thousand gallons of water. They’re also pretty lightweight and light to carry. So, why not bring a few with you?
Did you know you could bring a water jug with you when you’re traveling? You should look for one that has a straw, or even better, a bottle that filters out all the gross stuff in the water. These are very helpful when traveling in unfamiliar places. Filtration systems are a great choice too! You can bring your own purification tablets, too. Let’s examine them in more detail:
One way to purify water is by using water purification tablets. These tablets are inexpensive and easy to carry with you, making them a great option for emergencies. To use a water purification tablet, simply drop it into the water and wait a few minutes. The tablet will kill any bacteria or parasites in the water, making it safe for drinking. Be sure to follow the instructions on the packaging, as some tablets require a longer wait time than others. If you’re ever in a situation where you need to purify water, a water purification tablet is a good option. They are affordable and easy to carry, and they can be used in a variety of situations. Just be sure to read the instructions before using them, and always have a backup water source just in case.
Remember, you not only need water to drink, but also to cook with, to wash with and more – and you need enough for each member of your family.
Why You Should Include A First-aid Kit In Your Bug-out-bag
When we’re at home, we generally don’t need to use first-aid supplies, such as bandages, antiseptic, or pain reliever. But when we go out in the world, we need these items much more. We may encounter cuts and scrapes, headaches, and muscle pain.
In all of those instances, you were able to find a bandage, go to a doctor, or call an ambulance. However, when we’re away from home, accidents can still happen, and when they do, it’s critical to know how to get the injured individual the necessary help.
When you’re in a crisis and stranded in the wild, you have to be your own hero. Even minor ailments like headaches or more serious issues like serious blood loss have to be handled on your own. Yikes! It’s up to you to keep yourself safe and healthy in extreme situations.
Your bug out bag should have items that will help you the most in a survival scenario. That means, you focus on practical things like a lighter, a flint, and firewood.
But if you’re buggin out and you NEED to have a fire in order to boil your water and stay warm and cook. Therefore, it’s more likely that someone in your group will end up getting burned. So make sure you’ve got some first-aid supplies like a burn salve and bandages to clean the wounds.
First aid kits are a must have! Make sure you have the basics like Band-Aids and ibuprofen. However, you’ll also want to have a tourniquet in case someone with a deep cut starts bleeding uncontrollably. Getting one today means that you’re prepared for anything. Also, make sure you know how to use a tourniquet! You don’t want to be fumbling around when it’s urgent. Practice and learn how to apply it!
When you’re walking through bush, wilderness or a a jungle, you’re bound to get a few nicks and bruises. However, some routes may take you through a city or town, where you may encounter broken bottles, glass, or other obstacles.
When hiking, it’s a good idea to bring a small first aid kit with you. You might get blisters on your feet, and that can make walking or moving a lot more difficult.
When preparing for a bugging out situation, remember to pack plenty of first-aid supplies. Include items that suit the needs of each family member. If someone in your family has a medical condition, consider including any medications that they may need.
Just stocking up on first aid kits and emergency supplies isn’t enough. Everyone in your family needs to know how to use them. Otherwise, they’re just pointless. Make it a habit to practice with these products, and if you don’t understand how to use a specific product, research what it is and how it works. Teach everyone in your household what the product is, when to use it, and how to use it. You never know when you might need it.
One thing you may want to seriously consider is to sign the whole family up for a First Aid Course with the Red Cross or any other emergency organization who runs professional First Aid workshops. They usually happen over a weekend and are inexpensive.
Get everyone in your family involved and excited about it. You want every family member, even the little ones, to get used to using plasters, bandages, gauzes, tourniques and basic First Aid techniques. It will be a useful skill and knowledge not only for a Bug Out event, but for any emergency or accident they may come across.
Having the knowledge to render First Aid will go a long way to make them feel confident and avoid unnecessary anxiety in an emergency situation. This will give them a sense of calm and control.
Why not book a First Aid course next weekend – don’t delay it!
Because you simply never know when disaster strikes!
What Essential Navigation and Communication Gear Do You Need for Your Bug Out Bag?
On a normal day, you can hop in your vehicle and use any variety of navigation programs to help you go from one location to another. Whether it’s built-into your dashboard or on your personal phone, you can use any driving Navigation App to get you from A to B.
Naturally, you’ll also come across helpful street signs to assist you in your escape. However, in a “bug out” scenario, you may need to go off road. You may have to ditch your vehicle, or could find yourself lost in the forest, perhaps searching for a water supply or attempting to get your family to a secure area.
A compass is the number one navigational instrument you should carry in your survival kit. Everyone in your group should know how to utilize one, as well. It would also be useful to have a topographical map, which is waterproofed so that it won’t get damaged by the elements. Waterproofing is best done by laminating it.
You don’t want to find yourself stranded off-grid in the middle of nowhere and no idea where the heck you are. That’s why it’s smart to be knowledgeable about your surroundings.
You can use smartphone navigation in conjunction with traditional maps, but it’s important not to rely exclusively on either method. You won’t know if there’s coverage or Internet in the places you’re traveling through. If it works, though, it is vitally important keep your battery life up.
Solar powered charger is necessary for being able to maintain everyday contact to the outside world. Of course you would want to stay in touch with your friends and family, as well as staying on top of the latest information. In order to keep your communication devices fully charged up you need a so9lar powered charger. This is particularly vital when living off-grid not just for a short bug out situation, but when this turn into a more longer lasting emergency.
A NOAA weather radio that is solar-powered or hand-cranked to working condition is essential because it allows you to receive regular updates on information and news you require. All NOAA Weather Radio stations broadcast on one of seven frequencies in the VHF Public Service band: 162.400 megahertz (MHz), 162.425 MHz, 162.450 MHz, 162.475 MHz, 162.500 MHz, 162.525 MHz, and 162.550 MHz.
Make sure any NOAA radio you purchase can receive on these frequencies. Some cheaper imported emergency radios do not receive on the NOAA frequencies and would be totally useless in a serious emergency. As with all your survival gear – get good quality at a fair price, don’t try to be cheap, you may be gambling with your life because you tried to save a few bucks!
Some higher quality NOAA radios have multiple uses. They may double as a cellphone battery charger and contain a flashlight, which may be handy when it’s dark out. They may help you navigate at night when you bug-out.
While a walkie-talkie is the best for quick, short-range communication, a HAM radio is better for communicating over longer distances. If you’d like to keep in touch with family and friends when they’re far away, get a HAM radio. We have some recommendations here.
A distress signal is used to communicate an emergency or need for rescue, as you cannot always bug out. When you can’t bug out, flares and reflective gear can provide assistance to rescuers.
What You Need to Have In Your Bug-out-bag for Your Shelter and Comfort
While food and water are two of the most important things you can pack in your bug out bag, once the sun sets on Day One, you’ll be focusing on having a safe location to sleep at night.
In the great outdoors, whether the weather is nice or terrible, you don’t want to be snoozing beneath the stars. When you’re in a survival scenario, your backpack should be stocked with ready-made shelter items. However, it’s also a good idea to include anything that can assist you in building a shelter out of natural materials, such as leaves, tree branches, and vines.
To bug out in the wild, you’ll need a tent that is securely attached to your bug out bag using MOLLE fasteners. You’ll also need a sleeping bag to keep you warm in cold conditions.
Carrying a tent big enough to fit everyone in your family might be tough. Instead, you should opt for each person to carry their own lightweight backpacking tent, or you could simply use a camping tarp and sleep in sleeping bags.
There are loads of bags, blankets, and tarps that are super durable and waterproof to some degree. That should help you keep your stuff dry when you need to. These will come in handy if you’re camping in an area where it rains or there’s fog and morning dew.
To ensure you don’t forget anything, make a list and stick to it. Most people forget to bring their pillow! It’s not practical to bring your own, so get one of those blow up ones that you can inflate and deflate when you want to pack it up. Oh, and get yourself a travel eye mask, too.
Another helpful tip is to pack earplugs. While some people love hearing the sounds around them, some of us can’t sleep with all those crickets and creatures buzzing and chirping outside the tent.
You could also choose a sleeping mat to put on the hard surface under your sleeping bag. There are tiny pads that are light, but inflate into a good mattress.
Emergency blankets are really handy. They can keep the heat in and the water out! They’re also great to have on hand if you want to send a distress signal. You’ll find them in all kinds of colors and patterns.
When you’re on the road, you never know what the circumstances will be bugging out and you never know when you’ll run into trouble. That’s why it’s a good idea to pack a bladed weapon such as a machete or a knife which will come in handy for cutting away any overgrown vegetation and building makeshift shelters with materials like branches and leaves.
You’ll also need some solar lights that will charge in the day when you hang them on the outside of your survival pack with MOLLE belts. This way, you’ll have light when the sun goes down and you set up camp.
CONCLUSION
I’ve given you a pretty comprehensive list of essential tools to stock up on, and skills you should learn – like First Aid training for example.
If you are serious about Prepping, protecting and taking care of your family I urge you to begin purchasing the vitally essential items I listed above.
Create a list and work through it according to your budget. Remember that the cheapest product may not serve you well in an emergency situation when you can’t simply go to the store to replace it when it fails.
Spend wisely and buy smartly – good quality survival gear at fair prices will serve you well when SHTF happens.
Your life and the lives of your loved ones will depend on it.