***UPDATE 7/2013: The list below is comprehensive, but it can also be daunting. I’ve received many emails asking for an easier solution, and after comparison shopping I’ve found this – Executive 72-hour Kit – As seen on CNN! This is the best pre-built kit I’ve seen in terms of cost, value, and items covered. I hope this allows you to stop making excuses, and take the preparedness steps you know you need to take.***
Bug out is a military term meaning that camp needs to get packed up now so you can move on. So a bug out bag would be designed to get you the same result, but you can have it ready to go in advance. At first zombie sighting you can grab your bag and be on your way.
If you’re gonna put the effort in to building a zombie survival kit, you’re gonna want to make sure you do it right. This isn’t to say there’s one right way to build your bug out bag – it should absolutely be tailored to your particular tastes and needs, but there are some essentials that need to be included. It’s not likely that you’ll find some “survival packs” on your travels, like the ones you see in video games – so you need to have the basics covered.
Let’s break it down into parts. Keep in mind, a typical bug out bag is a 3-day kit – designed to keep you alive until you find suitable resources elsewhere.
Survival Food and Water
- Clean drinking water – 1 liter per person, per day (3 liters, minimum)
- Emergency food bars / MREs / other shelf-stable food source (suitable for a 3 day pack)
Clothing
- Pack warm clothes for cold nights
- Extra socks
- Full change of clothes in case you get wet
- Rain jacket / poncho
Shelter
- Tent or tarp to sleep under
- Ground tarp to sleep on
- Sleeping bag / bedroll (or at least a good, heavy blanket) to stay warm
Emergency supplies
- Matches and/or other ways to make fire
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Survival knife
- Multi-tool
- Flashlights (take 2)
- Extra batteries
- Pot to boil water in, or cook in
- First-aid kit
- Medication (if you take any)
- Copies of important documents (in case the outbreak is contained)
- Maps
- Duct tape
- Rope / zip-ties
Sanitation / Personal hygiene
- Toothbrush / toothpaste
- Toilet paper
- Bleach
Weapon(s)
This is a personal decision that depends what you’re comfortable with. We will explore this in more detail in another post, but to get an idea check out Gerber’s Zombie Apocalypse Survival Kit.
Don’t forget, you also need a great bag to carry it all in!
Please note that the Amazon links are affiliate links, and I get a small commission if you buy the products through them. Please don’t buy something you’re not comfortable buying or isn’t a good fit for you, just because I recommend it.
This is a pretty good list, but it doesn’t cover all situations. If you have a baby with you, remember they have special needs that you need to account for. The same goes for any pets you will take with you.
Personally, I would bring along something to write with and a notebook, and a deck of cards to keep me sane. That’s why this needs to be personalized to your tastes.
If you’d rather take a shortcut and buy a ready-made kit, such as this one here, that’s a valid strategy too. Just remember to tweak it and tailor it to you.
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