Survival Prepping 101: Bugout Bag (BOB) Basics

There are 3 basics that are fundamental to any survival situation,  these being FIRE, FOOD/Water and SHELTER, and it is upon these three that the other essential items and materials are based.

When making a bugout bag (BOB), be sure to have the basic items,  equipment and materials to cover all three of these fundamentals in order to help you more effectively mitigate a survival situation.

FIRE
This includes fire for heating, cooking, sterilization of water and the associated implements accordingly.

Firestarters: This includes matches, lighters and/or flints. Have at least two of these items in you BOB contained in secure waterproof containers.

Tools: Have a small good quality handsaw, a good quality hunting knife and/or utility knife - and sharpening stone(s), a small ripping bar and/or axe/hatchet included in your kit in order to make  
for easier acquisition of wood and/or other combustibles as needed.

Tinder: Pre-made tinder(s) are helpful to have on hand for firestarting in a hurry. This could be charred cloth, soaked cotton balls, dry shavings, fatwood, resin, or even a 9V battery and superfine steel wood (Important: If you do go with the battery/ steel wool combo, do not keep them together and package them separately to prevent accidental fire outbreak).

FOOD/ Water
Food: Some examples of good in-a-hurry fundamental food items to carry on your BOB are nutrient dense, small, lightweight and easy to carry food items such as energy bars, granola, MREs (pre-packaged easy to cook and carry longterm foods referred to a 'Meals Ready to Eat'), dry soups, pre-made dry pasta, some sweets (non-melting), pre-made oatmeal packets, trail mix, dried fruits/ berries, jerky and/or snack sausage/ pepperoni sticks that do not require refrigeration, hot chocolate packets or coffee/tea packets, juice crystals and/or tetra packaged juices, for example. These are small and quite a few can easily be tucked in your BOB, and many of these ration foods are ready to eat even without cooking.

Water: A bandana, a water filtering system of sorts, sterilization tablets, active charcoal are always important to have on hand for basic water filtration and sterilization. A 'LifeStraw' or a 'Sawyer' water filter are also some examples of things that can both filter and sterilize water. Also, a portable water container of sorts is important to have.

Wild water should always be filtered and sterilized. Note: Filtered water is not the same thing as STERILIZED water, unless you use a specialty filter/sterilization system like 'LifeStraw' or a 'Sawyer' water filter, for example. Otherwise ALL wild water needs to be filtered to remove any debris and/or particulate, and then it must be boiled steadily for at least 2 minutes to sterilize it and kill any potential bacteria or parasites that may be in the water.

Tools: A fireproof set of camp dishes and boil pot with a lid will always come in handy. Many good quality, small and portable camping equipment as such, is [usually] readily available at many outdoor  sporting/ camping sections in many outlets.

SHELTER/ Clothing/ Bedding
A small good quality tent and good quality sleeping bag is always excellent to include with your BOB. However, in event such items are not available, then a good tarp, some cord and an emergency blanket (aka 'Space blanket') can easily be tucked into your BOB and a temporary shelter can be set up and utilized as needed.

Outerwear: Have rain gear included in your kit, as well as good quality footwear for potentially rugged outdoor use. Depending on season and climate, the warmth and/or breathability of dry weather outerwear should be taken into consideration.

Clothing: Have a complete change of clothing in your BOB to stay clean and/or stay dry, in event that your clothing gets wet and you need to change. Synthetic and/or wool clothing is recommended, as  
cotton (regardless of how lovely it is) when it gets wet, it will stay wet and it will not retain heat, and you can get cold very quickly which is no fun and could be dangerous in a situation where hypothermia is a potential reality. EXTRA socks are always important to have on hand. Foot protection is very important. Wool and/or polyester blends are recommended fabrics for socks as well. Polyester will wick off wetness very quickly and is fast drying. Wool, even when wet, will still retain heat and is naturally inclined to dry quickly as well.

Bedding: If you don't have a sleeping bag, a good bedroll made of several layers of different density sheets and blankets will work quite well. This can be rolled up or folded accordingly, and attached to a BOB by cord or straps. Carry a waterproof outer layer, such as a good heavy duty garbage bag, to keep bedding safe, sound and dry in event of rain or tanglewood/debris. Carry an extra water-resistant tarp or ground layer (like a yoga mat, for example) to give your bedroll and/or sleeping bag an moisture barrier between you and the ground, or extra padding and insulation on a hard dry surface.

FIRST AID
A small backpack First Aid kit is excellent to have in your BOB.

HEALTH
Handsoap, toothbrush/ toothpaste, brush/comb, medicine (as needed), spare eyeglasses in a protective case (as needed), sunglasses, sunscreen, bug repellant, feminine hygiene products (as needed), washcloth and towel, TOILET PAPER

DEFENSE
Bear spray is a good legal item that can be carried in a BOB for your protection. Also, having a small sturdy baseball bat and/or good sturdy walking staff on hand can also be helpful. In some places, firearms and ammunition are also legal carry. However in Canada, there are very restricted and controlled licensing and permissions required to carry firearms and ammo, and to have them in your possession and/or to transport firearms and ammunition anywhere. Certain Airsoft-type recreational items such as pellet guns/ BB guns/ paintball guns are not illegal to carry and could be potentially useful in warding off some types of attacks (such as wild dogs or coyotes, for example). The sound alone of the discharge (i.e. CO2 cartridge) can potentially scare them off in some instances.

OTHER Items
In addition to the survival fundamentals, there are also a few other basic things that can be easily packed in your BOB. This could include a flashlight and spare batteries, cell phone and/or two-way  
radios with charger, small battery or hand-crank pocket-size AM/FM radio, map and compass, cash, cell phone and charger, small backpack/camper solar power charge panel, notepad and pen/pencil,  
wild edible and medicinal plants field and foraging guide, small garbage bags, wet/dry waterproof storage bag (to keep any wet clothing separate from the rest of your kit), a sewing kit, flagging  
tape, extra cord (like paracord and/or twine), duct tape, Ranger beads (aka 'pace-count beads') are some examples.

Visit Survival Prepping 101 on YouTube for a variety of educational and reference videos on this kind of topic matter at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_rK4vcet7soIMzznDgACsQ
#jeminiii