Having an emergency go bag is one of the best things you can do to be prepared for any situation. An “emergency go bag” or “bug out bag” is a simple way to make sure your family has everything they need to survive a large-scale disaster.
Typically, people pack their bug-out bags with enough food, water, and shelter supplies to last them and their loved ones a few days. These are usually categorized as either immediate needs (food, water) or long-term needs (shelter).
Some experts suggest adding items such as first aid supplies, tools, and jewelry to help boost your morale. While these aren’t necessarily something everyone should have, they may give you some small boosts of confidence!
There are several different ways to organize and access your bug-out bag depending on how organized you are at home and what types of disasters you expect to face. The most important thing is to be realistic about what you will actually use your supplies for.
Bug Out Bag List Essentials
A whistle
Having a way to signal for help or alert people of your situation is very important. If you are out hiking, there’s usually not much you can do if someone doesn’t recognize you.
You could try calling out, but most people don’t hear well when they’re listening for sounds. Or you could wave your hand, but that may get stuck on something else.
A better option would be to pick up a portable whistle. These are easy to use and only cost around $10-20 depending on size and style.
You can use them to call for help, as an alarm, or just because you want to have some fun blowing into it.
A Sharpie
Many people have mentioned having a smartphone as one of the most important things to have in your emergency go-bag. While that is definitely true, there are some other gadgets you can add to the mix.
A great way to include this in your bag is to carry a small notepad or bullet journal. This allows you to easily doodle down notes and organize them later.
You can also include a pen in this so you never run out! Most people already have a phone so using a backup camera helps ensure you don’t forget any big meetings or anniversaries.
Pain relievers
A pain reliever that is indispensable for anyone to have is an aspirin bottle. Many people forget about their pills, or they get rid of them because they think there are enough at home so they can stay somewhere else until they feel better.
But then you don’t have enough medicine to last until your next bout of illness and symptoms arise! Aspirin has been shown to reduce inflammation and help slow down blood clotting, which makes sense given its name.
It also helps prevent stomach ulcers by acting as a protective layer against the stomach wall. Because it takes time to find out how much aspirin someone should really be taking for themselves, many people start buying one size fits all bottles only to throw away most of what we know is that 1mg/650ml is too little for some and 5mg/650ml is way too much for others.
Finding a good middle ground may be difficult but do not underestimate the power of aspirin! It does take a while to work, and even half a tablet per day might not see significant effects, but if you ever needed it, these doses are already run through testing and will probably do the trick. Test it out yourself — maybe try doubling the dose? We recommend starting with 2 tablets and seeing how you feel after that. If you still feel bad, add more! Some people need less than other people.
Antibacterial cream
When you have to touch lots of surfaces, having an antibacterial wash for your hands is very important! Most people are aware that washing your hands helps prevent infectious diseases, but few know which brands are actually effective enough to use.
Some say that using alcohol-based hand sanitizers is just as good (if not better) than using water alone, but many contain unnecessary chemicals such as triclosan or parabens.
Triclosan has been linked to health issues including breast cancer, reproductive problems, and skin rashes. Parabens have been associated with potential endocrine disruption and birth defects.
Since emergency situations can potentially expose you to serious health risks, it is best to be informed about all possible ways to keep yourself healthy. It is also important to look into whether there have been reports of harmful effects from using a product before investing in it.
Antiseptic wipes
Having an emergency kit means having enough supplies to help you restore your health after you are exposed to someone or something that may be contaminated.
One of the most important pieces of equipment in any first aid kit is antimicrobial washable sanitary products, also called disinfectant wipes or antiseptic wipes. These are very useful for cleaning various surfaces and materials before putting them into another container to use or recycling.
They can be used to clean wastewater containers, phones before throwing it out, other people’s medicines, injured areas, and more. Because they contain either alcohol or bleach as an active ingredient, these products work to eliminate the risk of infection!
There are many different brands of antibacterial cleansers around, so do some research and find one that works for you.
Snickers crush
This is one of those must-have products that can save your life in an emergency. A snicker’s crunch bar is made of milk chocolate, coconut, and hazelnut butter – a combination is known as truffle cream.
The hard-to-find (and cost) ingredient is coconut powder, which gives it its famous flavor. The trick is how to get a good amount of it while still keeping the bar edible and not too heavy.
You can either break off pieces or use a knife to scrape away some of the top layers, but be careful not to cut into the bar underneath.
Duct tape
Many people use duct tape for all sorts of things, from holding together pieces of clothing to repairing or making new accessories. But one of its most useful purposes is keeping your belongings safe and sound.
If you ever find yourself in an emergency situation, this tool will be very helpful to you. It can help keep you stable and protect you from thieves.
You probably know how to use it already! All you need to do is roll it up around something and then manage it with the rest of your resources. (Make sure to save some left over for later.)
But what if someone tries to take away your smartphone? Or your house key? Or even just your car keys?! Luckily, there are lots of ways to stop them without using much material.