Various types of Bug out Bags

By Joseph Parish

There are many different types of emergencies and each of them may require diverse types of bug out bags. The reason for the various bags is that often you must size up the situations and determine what would be necessary in the way of survival equipment. An example would be if your vehicle were to break down and you find it necessary to walk to your destination you would need a different type of bag as opposed to a situation where you would be at a fixed location.

Bug out bags will vary according to the situation. Perhaps you will be at work and so you would require a “Get home” bag. It would then seem that your goal is to your home where your stash of supplies may be.

It is not the intent of this article to tell you what you need to place in your bag but rather what the various types of bags are and their intended purpose. With that said here are a few diverse bags that you may desire.

Fanny Pack

Fanny Packs are great when you are day tripping on foot. Another name for this type of pack is a bum bag. These can usually be worn without attracting too much attention to yourself. A fanny bag usually straps around your waist and allows you to pack only a minimum amount of supplies.

Kids Pack 

Children are a natural for carrying bags. They actually enjoy them especially if everyone else in the family is carrying their share. Kid’s packs are lightweight and generally smaller then the adult packs. Usually they focus more upon food and clothing then anything else. If your Kids pack contains clothing make sure that you check it several times per year to ensure the items still fit your rapidly growing child.

Short Term Bug out Bag (Also known as a get home bag)

If an emergency occurs while you are away from home then you may require what is known as a short term bag. Often times this is referred to as a 72 hour emergency kit. It stands to reason that these particular bags would have a lower profile. Of course it would not have any sort of weapon as you would not wish to be caught by the police with a rifle strapped to your shoulder while trying to get home from work.

Long Term Bug out Bag

Now we come to the type of Bug out Bag that you would use in the event that you may not be returning to your home. Examples of this type of situation would be a result of a foreign invasion or perhaps an EMP burst. Use this bag during rioting in the cities. One particular feature of these bags is that they will contain more food, clothing, medical supplies and possibly weapons.

Step Up Pack

When considering a step up bag you must consider that it would hold many of those items which are not already included in your short or long term bag. It would make no sense to duplicate the items that you already have in your other kits. The key here is to develop a pack which could be used to upgrade your other bags when needed. Keep in mind that in the case of a long term bug out situation you would need to take along both your short bag as well as the upgrade. Since you may be planning a much longer period of time in bugging out then you may find that the upgrade may require a much larger container perhaps a pull behind trailer or eve3n a wheelbarrow.

Car Kits

Car kits should of course be located in your vehicle. They are not created to be on your person or at your home. If you have two vehicles then you should have two vehicle bags. These are actually a sort of 72 hour kit. They generally contain your basics such as matches, a flashlight, some non perishable food, a space blankets, etc. During the winter season your vehicle should contain extra winter supplies.

An interesting note here is that if you have your items in a wheelbarrow and you have an early start you can get quit a bit of distance between you and the problem. If you strap your wheelbarrow on the top of your car you can always put supplies in it if something happens to your car such as you get stuck in a bad traffic jam or you simply run out of gasoline and you have to go on by foot.

Rubbermaid Ready

I have previously written an article relating to the use of Rubbermaid totes for holding your bug out supplies. I tried to stress that your emergency supplies should be contained in your kit and removed from your home to your car when an emergency strikes. Always keep this kit near your door to your home and ready for any sort of bug out.

Copyright @2008 Joseph Parish