A bug out bag can sound like something meant for hardcore survivalists until you imagine having only a few minutes to leave home. A wildfire evacuation, flood, extended power outage, or another emergency can quickly turn a packed bag from an interesting preparedness project into something you’re very glad is sitting by the door.
The idea isn’t to pack for every possible disaster. A good bug-out bag should contain practical supplies that can help you through roughly the first 72 hours while still being light enough to actually carry.
That means choosing what earns space in the bag. These 14 essentials cover many of the things you’ll be glad to have if you need to leave home quickly and don’t know exactly when you’ll be back.
First Aid Kit
A minor injury becomes much harder to deal with when your medicine cabinet is miles away. Pack bandages, gauze, medical tape, antiseptic supplies, tweezers, pain relievers and other basic first-aid necessities, along with essential prescription medications your household may need.
Don’t simply buy a kit and forget about it. Check it periodically for expired products, depleted supplies and medications that need replacing.
Multi-Tool
When every ounce in your bag matters, carrying an entire toolbox isn’t practical. A compact multi-tool can provide a knife, pliers, screwdrivers and other useful tools without taking up much room.
It can come in handy for opening packages, cutting cord, making small repairs and handling dozens of little problems that are difficult to anticipate before an emergency.
More Than One Way to Start a Fire
A single lighter doesn’t give you much of a backup plan if it gets wet, breaks or runs out of fuel. Consider carrying a lighter along with waterproof matches and a compact fire starter stored somewhere dry.
Fire can provide warmth and a way to cook in appropriate outdoor situations, but local fire restrictions and wildfire conditions still apply during an emergency. Never assume starting a fire is safe simply because you’re evacuating.
Emergency Shelter and Cordage
You may expect to drive straight to a hotel, friend’s house or evacuation center, but emergencies don’t always follow the plan. A lightweight tarp, emergency bivy or emergency blanket can provide some protection from wind, rain and cold without taking up much room.
Add a manageable length of paracord or other strong cordage for securing a tarp, bundling gear or making temporary repairs. A tent and sleeping bag can also be useful, but only if the added size and weight make sense for your evacuation plan.
A Small Change of Clothes
You don’t need several outfits, but being stuck in wet or dirty clothing can quickly become miserable. Pack clean underwear and socks along with a lightweight change of clothes appropriate for your climate.
A waterproof outer layer can be especially useful if you have to spend a lot of time outdoors. If you’re packing for children, check their clothes periodically since something packed last year may no longer fit.
Light, Backup Power and Charging Gear
A flashlight or headlamp becomes essential when the power is out or you’re trying to move around somewhere unfamiliar after dark. Pack a reliable LED light along with the correct spare batteries, and consider a small backup light in case the primary one fails.
Your phone may also become one of your most useful tools for emergency alerts, communication and navigation. Keep a charged power bank and the correct charging cables in the bag, and consider a hand-crank or solar emergency radio as another way to receive information when normal services are disrupted.
Hygiene Supplies for When Running Water Isn’t Available
A toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, tissues and disposable wipes can make several days away from home considerably easier. Depending on the season and climate, sunscreen and insect repellent may deserve space too.
Keep everything travel-sized so hygiene supplies don’t take over the bag. Wipes are especially useful when running water isn’t readily available, but remember that most shouldn’t be flushed, even if they’re marketed as flushable.
Water and a Way to Treat More
Water is one of the most important things to plan for, but it’s also heavy enough that carrying several days’ worth can quickly weigh down a bag. Carry an amount appropriate for your evacuation plan along with bottles, a hydration bladder or collapsible containers that can be refilled when safe water is available.
A portable water filter or purification product provides another option when appropriate. Different treatments remove different contaminants, however, so don’t assume that any questionable water source can automatically be made safe with a portable filter.
Food You Can Eat Without Cooking
Emergency food doesn’t need to be elaborate. Nuts, nut or seed butter, energy bars, dried fruit, crackers and other shelf-stable foods can provide calories without requiring a stove or complicated preparation.
Choose foods your household will actually eat and rotate them before they expire. Remember dietary restrictions, allergies and the needs of young children when deciding what belongs in each person’s bag.
Related: 7 Canned Foods Frugal People Always Buy
A Paper Map and Compass
Your phone may normally handle every navigation decision, but batteries die, networks become overloaded and service isn’t guaranteed. A paper map showing your local area and possible evacuation routes gives you a backup that doesn’t depend on electricity.
A compass can be useful as well, but only if you know how to use it. Practice beforehand rather than expecting to learn how maps and compasses work while you’re already trying to find your way somewhere.
Cash in Small Bills
Card readers and ATMs depend on electricity and communication networks that may not be available during an emergency. Having some cash gives you another way to pay for food, fuel, transportation or other necessities when electronic payments aren’t working.
Keep it somewhere secure and protected from water, preferably in smaller denominations. Small bills are much more useful when a business can’t provide change.
Small Signaling and Multipurpose Items
A whistle is tiny, weighs almost nothing and can attract attention without requiring you to repeatedly shout for help. A small signaling mirror provides another lightweight way to make yourself more visible.
A couple of bandanas can earn their place here too. They can serve as cleaning cloths, head or neck coverings, temporary pouches or visible markers without adding much weight to your pack.
Duct Tape
Duct tape earns its place because you can’t predict what will break when you’re away from home. It can temporarily patch a torn tarp, reinforce a damaged bag, secure loose gear or hold something together until a proper repair is possible.
You don’t need to carry a bulky full roll. Wrap a useful amount around a flat card, bottle or another item already in the bag to save space.
Copies of Important Documents
When you’re leaving home quickly, paperwork probably isn’t the first thing on your mind. But copies of identification, insurance information, emergency contacts, medical information and other important records can become extremely useful once you’re safely away from home.
Keep paper copies protected in a waterproof pouch and maintain secure digital backups where appropriate. Review them occasionally so you’re not carrying outdated insurance information, contact numbers or other records.
Related: 15 Important Documents You Should Never Throw away
Pack It Before You Need It
The biggest advantage of a bug out bag isn’t owning a pile of survival gear. It’s not having to walk around the house deciding what to take while you’re supposed to be leaving.
Once the bag is packed, pick it up and carry it around for a while. If it’s so heavy you wouldn’t want to walk any distance with it, take another look inside and decide what you can realistically do without.
