A Bug Out Bag is a rather broad term used to describe a bag, usually a backpack, that contains preparedness items to sustain a person for a 72-hour emergency, such as a power outage, an earthquake, a flood, a hurricane, or a disaster of any given sort.

YES! There are several different types of bug out bags that mostly center around where the bags are typically kept, and the duration of time the bags are designed to sustain a person. Some different names for bug out bags that are widely used are:

GHB - Get Home Bag; Specialized bag meant for returning home, rather than fleeing, often kept in vehicles.

Go Bag / Go Kit - The most frequent synonym for a fast-retrieval bag

GOOD Bag - Get Out Of Dodge Bag; Used for evacuating to a safer location.

PERK - Personal Emergency Relocation Kit; A technical term for a personal emergency bag.

Bail-Out Bag - Commonly used by the military or in vehicle contexts.

INCH Bag - I’m Never Coming Home Bag; A heavier, long-term survival pack intended for permanent evacuation.

SHTF Bag - Used when the ‘Shit Hit The Fan’

The typical rule of thumb is that your typical BOB should be designed to sustain you for a 72-hour period.

This is the million-dollar question! There is no one answer for this question. If you ask 100 people this question, you will get at least 90 different answers. Without diving down the rabbit hole of specific geographical location needs, or individual medical needs, the short and the sweet of it is this:

• Emergency water and a way to filter water
• Shelter (something small and packable; not a tent with poles)
• Fire source + tinder
• Comms - a communication device like a walkie-talkie, and a way to charge your cell phone. Don’t forget to include the appropriate charging cord!
• First Aid - a basic ‘boo boo’ kit with some band aids, alcohol wipes, pain relievers, some Immodium for an upset stomach, and we always recommend a quality tourniquet 
• Headlamp or flashlight
• Spare socks
• Multitool - a SAK (Swiss Army Knife) or multitool of similar design
• Rain gear or poncho

A typical bug out bag is designed for a 72-hour emergency scenario. The human body can easily survive for three days without food, so while food is not a necessity, it certainly can make your life far more enjoyable in a not-so-enjoyable situation. Consider packing some food items that are small, calorie-dense, and they should not be perishable. You don’t want to load your BOB up with cans of soup, tuna cans, or lunch meat. Nutrition bars like Kind bars, Clif bars, Luna bars, Nutrigrain bars, and even Keto Bricks are the direction you should be thinking in.

Another million-dollar question right here. We work with customers on all levels of budget. Beware of the quality of the equipment in your BOB if you are purchasing a ‘cookie-cutter’ bag. You could spend as little as $200 on a bag that can get the job done in an emergency, provided you have some skill sets under your belt. A GHB (Get Home Bag) can cost as little as $100-$150. Then, you’ve got your big-time preppers who have thousands into their BOBs - those who will spare no expense. 

Now, for a quality bag with quality gear, you are looking at a starting point of around $350-$400. The higher the quality, the higher the price tag. The more equipment, the higher the price tag. Trying to nail down which type of bag is best for you and what type of equipment you need is where we come in. We’re here to guide you in your Bug Out Bag curating experience. Although we do have custom-curated bags already prepped for sale, we offer one-on-one, tailored advice specifically for your needs, and/or the needs of your family. Just contact us, and we’ll be happy to help you navigate the world of Bug Out Bags!