Emergency Bag Essentials: Everything You Need To Bug Out

A PREPPER'S GUIDE TO 5 DAYS OF ESSENTIALS An emergency bag packed with food, water, firstaid supplies, and other necessities will immediately improve your circumstances in any urgent situation. This guide explains exactly what you need to stash in your bag to be safe, self-sufficient, and equipped for any unexpected event. TOPICS INCLUDE: ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■

A 5-DAY FOOD PLAN THAT WEIGHS UNDER 3 POUNDS WATER FILTRATION AND PURIFYING METHODS STAYING WARM AND DRY WITH LIGHTWEIGHT SHELTER OPTIONS CUSTOMIZING THE BAG TO SUIT YOUR FAMILY’S NEEDS

50+ EMERGENCY TOOLS AND TIPS JASON CHARLES is a firefighter, 9/11 first responder, and community organizer for the New York City chapter of the American Preppers Network.

AMERICAN PREPPERS NETWORK (APN) is a network of regional blogs and forums dedicated to pro­viding information on survival, preparedness, selfsufficiency, and sustainability. AmericanPreppersNetwork.com

JASON CHARLES

POTTER www.potterstyle.com COVER DESIGN: Ken Crossland PHOTOGRAPHY credits appear on the copyright page.

$14.95 (Canada: $17.95) ISBN 978-0-7704-3516-5

Printed in China

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Copyright © 2014 by Jason Charles and the American Preppers Network. All rights reserved. Published in the United States by Potter Style, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House LLC, a Penguin Random House Company, New York.

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INTRODUCTION A BASIC PREP FOR EVERYONE

Having a prepacked bag—ready to grab and go in the event of an urgent situation—will give you enormous peace of mind. Since an emergency could consist of anything from a natural disaster or an accident to social unrest or an attack, it is common to feel overwhelmed and unsettled— and as a result, do nothing. This guide outlines everything you need to remain self-sufficient for up to five days. There isn’t a one-size-fitsall preparation, so consider the following when packing your bag:

Likely scenarios: Think about the vulnerabilities of your particular area (hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, floods, overcrowding, industrial accidents) and prioritize your items accordingly.

Your fitness level: A well-stocked emergency bag should weigh no more than 25 percent of your body weight; however, this may still be too heavy for many people. Start with the starred must-have items in this guide and scale up from there.

Your own experience and budget: If you are totally unfamiliar with a recommended item, educate yourself before buying it and practice using it before an emergency strikes. Products come on and off the market all the time; consider this selection as a starting point so that you know what to look for as you assemble your own bag. Finally, tuck this guide into your packed bag. It contains reminders about using your gear and other tips (purifying water, signaling for help) that could come in handy during an emergency.

EMERGENCY BAG RULES Observe these rules to ensure you are always prepared and ready to go. ■■

NEVER “borrow” supplies from your bag: and never use your emergency bag for a backpacking trip or other outing. Purchase separate gear for recreational activities.

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Put a reminder in your calendar to update your bag with season-specific gear every six months (or as the seasons change): Check the expiration dates of your food and other perishables. Use the switchover as an opportunity to air out your sleeping bag and repack your bag with the updated gear.

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If your weight varies, try on your evacuation clothes once a year and make sure they still fit: Upgrade your children’s emergency bags as they grow.

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ALWAYS keep your bag in one accessible place at home: Do not move it around, put it into deep storage, or stack things on top of it. This will cause confusion and delay your evacuation.

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NEVER go through an airport with your bag or EDC (Every Day Carry) items: (See Card 48.) Some of the contents are prohibited by the TSA and you may be detained by law enforcement.

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Do not add things to your bag without weighing them and trying the bag with the new weight first: Over time you will discover your bag is much heavier than it was initially.

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Do not hang your bag by the shoulder straps long term: This will stretch out the straps and make the bag uncomfortable to wear.

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HOW TO PACK YOUR BAG Packing your bag is like putting together a puzzle. Group “like” items together and place them in your bag according to how frequently you’ll need to use them. Each person’s bag will be different, but the following cards outline one approach. MAIN COMPARTMENT: 1st (Bottom) Layer First, pack flat reference materials (maps, e-reader) that you may not need immediately along the back wall of your main compartment. Keep all documents and maps in plastic bags.

main compartment

Important documents

Maps

E-reader

Survival manual

HOW TO PACK YOUR BAG

(CONT.)

MAIN COMPARTMENT: 2nd (Middle) Layer Next, add the items that you’ll probably only use at the end of the day (in other words, things that don’t need to be readily accessible throughout the day).

Fire-starting kit

Tent

Emergency blanket

Travel pillow

Katadyn

Toiletries

Water bottle

Camping pot

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YOUR WATER SUPPLY

If the water supply is shut off or contaminated during an emergency, finding clean drinking water may become incredibly difficult. To ensure that you have potable water for at least five days, pack the recommended amount of bottled water below (more if you can carry it). WHAT TO PACK

1 2 L HYDRATION BLADDER (FILLED)

1 1 6-OZ CLEAR PLASTIC BOTTLE (FILLED)

APPROX. COST:

$18–$34

APPROX. WEIGHT:

11.2 oz (empty); APPROX. WEIGHT: 4.5 lbs (full)

1 T RANSPARENT PLASTIC (PET) WIDE-NECK CONTAINER (EMPTY)

APPROX. COST:

$1–$2 16 oz

10 E MERGENCY WATER PACKETS

APPROX. COST:

$12–$15

APPROX. COST:

$8–$15

APPROX. WEIGHT:

3 oz

APPROX. WEIGHT:

2.6 lbs

YOUR WATER SUPPLY HOW TO PACK IT The hydration bladder fits into its own pocket— usually on the side or in the back of your bag’s main compartment. Strap one water bottle to the outside of your bag or slide it into an exterior pocket. Stow extra bottle(s) inside the main compartment. Emergency water packets can be stored anywhere in the main compartment except for the bottom of your bag.

YOUR HYDRATION NEEDS

Hydration bladder: A hydration bladder is a rubber or plastic reservoir that fits into a specially designated compartment on camping or outdoor-style backpacks. Attached to the reservoir is a hose with a capped mouth, which allows the person wearing the bladder to drink hands-free while on the move. Look for a reservoir that is puncture resistant and easy to clean. Bleach, water, and sunlight (if the reservoir is clear) will help prevent bacterial growth. Because it is not recommended to store water in hydration bladders long term, you should rotate out the water in your bladder and clean it every six months, or leave it empty and fill it upon evacuation. An easy way to remember to empty and clean your hydration bladder is to do it on Thanksgiving and Easter.

Plastic bottles: Pack at least one full water bottle and one empty clear plastic container. Make sure the plastic is BPA-free, and made with food-grade polyethylene. These water bottles can be used for sterilizing and collecting additional water.

Emergency water packets: These little water pouches hold 4.2 ounces of water and are made of heavy-duty Mylar. Two packets will cover your bare-minimum hydration needs for one day, but save these as a last resort. They last about five years if properly sealed.

FIRE-STARTING SUPPLIES

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Lighting a fire serves many basic needs, from heating up food and keeping warm to providing some level of psychological comfort. You will need the following items to get your fire started. WHAT TO PACK

LIGHTER

STORM-PROOF MATCHES

APPROX. COST:

$2–$20

APPROX. COST:

$2–$20

APPROX. WEIGHT:

2–3 oz

APPROX. WEIGHT:

1–2 oz

TINDER

FLINT STRIKER

APPROX. COST:

$2–$25

APPROX. COST:

$2–$12

APPROX. WEIGHT:

1 oz

APPROX. WEIGHT:

1 oz

HOW TO PACK IT Store the matches, tinder, and flint striker in a waterproof container inside your main bag compartment (a GearPod works well for this—see Card 2). Keep the lighter in an accessible exterior pocket.

FIRE-STARTING SUPPLIES FIRE-STARTING TOOLS

Lighters: Choose a butane lighter (also known as a storm-proof lighter, because they work in harsh weather conditions). Butane lighters burn through fluid quickly, so it doesn’t hurt to pack a standard naphtha-fueled lighter (such as a Zippo) as backup. Keep in mind that you’ll be lighting tinder to get the fire going, so you shouldn’t be using too much fuel.

Matches: Matches are a must-have item. Purchase a container of NATO Survival Matches (standard matchbooks are flimsy and the match heads break apart too easily). You can also make your own waterproof matches by dipping the match heads in wax and storing them in a plastic container.

Tinder: Tinder can be made from dryer lint, shredded egg cartons, coconut oil–soaked cotton balls, and dried wood shavings. You can also purchase compact tinder sticks from camping supply sites. Slow-burning tinder (like coconut oil–soaked cotton balls) can help you get a fire going even in adverse conditions.

Flint strikers: This alternative fire-starting method takes some practice, but it is the ultimate backup solution if you run out of matches or lighter fuel. This tool has two parts: a flint and a striker. Scraping the striker against the flint creates sparks, which—when used in conjunction with tinder—will start a fire.

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OVERNIGHT SHELTER Add an overnight shelter, such as a tent or bivy sack, to your bag in case you are forced to evacuate and can’t find shelter for the night. Practice assembling your tent in advance of an emergency. WHAT TO PACK

OR

GORTEX BIVY COVER

FREESTANDING TENT

APPROX. COST:

$40–$90

APPROX. COST:

$90–$160

APPROX. WEIGHT:

2.2 lbs

APPROX. WEIGHT:

3.5 lbs

HOW TO PACK IT Heavier items, like a tent, should be packed in the main compartment of your bag (ideally toward the top and close to your spine). A smaller bivy sack may fit in your sleeping bag compartment (if your bag has one).

OVERNIGHT SHELTER CHOOSING YOUR EMERGENCY SHELTER Ideally, every able-bodied person in a family should have an overnight shelter in his or her bag in case he or she gets separated from the group. Even if the parents each carry a heavier 2- to 3-person tent, each of the children should carry his or her own emergency bivy sack. Avoid buying one unwieldy, multiperson tent for the whole family.

Bivy sack: This extremely small, lightweight, waterproof shelter serves as an alternative to a tent. A bivy sack is essentially a waterproof fabric case that slips over your sleeping bag and traditionally covers the head and face. Simply remove the bivy from its sack and lay it out flat on the ground. Place your sleeping pad inside the bivy, then inflate it. Next, add your sleeping bag, and finally, crawl in yourself. Securely close the bivy, leaving a small gap for ventilation.

Tent: Although it is tempting to buy an inexpensive tent, it pays to invest in one of the higher-quality and lighter-weight models. A good emergency tent should be waterproof, durable, easy to set up, lightweight, and big enough to accommodate your size. It should also be freestanding so that you can set it up without ground stakes or tie offs. In advance of an emergency, practice assembling, breaking down, and stowing your tent in your bag.

Which one is right for you? Bivy sacks are inexpensive, lightweight, and very easy to set up. They are not ideal for those who suffer from claustrophobia (better to opt for a heavier, more expensive tent). Bivy sacks also tend to breath poorly and need to be vented to prevent condensation buildup.

PERSONAL HEALTH NEEDS CHECKLIST

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If you (or anyone in your family) have any underlying health conditions, make sure that your bag is packed with medication adequate for at least five days. If your conditions or medications are not included on this card, add them to the end of the list (then use this card as a packing checklist). Spare glasses Contacts and contact lens solution ❏❏ Supplements ❏❏ Allergy medication(s) ❏❏ EpiPen ❏❏ Insulin ❏❏ Mental health medication(s) ❏❏ Blood pressure medication(s) ❏❏ Asthma rescue inhaler ❏❏ Migraine medication ❏❏ Extra batteries for hearing aids ❏❏ Epilepsy medication(s) and identification ❏❏ Heart condition medication(s) and identification ❏❏ ❏❏

Other prescriptions/medications:   ❏❏  ❏❏  ❏❏  ❏❏  ❏❏  ❏❏ ❏❏

PERSONAL HEALTH NEEDS SPECIAL CONDITIONS If you are deaf or hard of hearing, if you have a rare blood type, or if you are allergic to certain medications or food, be sure that important information is noted somewhere in your backpack. (You can fill in those details on this card, below.) If you have an identification bracelet detailing your condition(s), be sure to wear it when you leave home.

Health conditions:                   

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