Bug Out Bag (BOB) Emergency Kit

Bug Out Bag (BOB) Emergency Kit:

A Bug out bag, in my opinion, is the big brother of the 72 hour kit. This is more extensive as it is for a severe emergency where you DO NOT plan to return to your home any time soon. It includes clothing, bedding, and stuff for "roughing it" outdoors. You need to have a designated BOB for every member of the family in an easy to grab space. 

Update your BOB for children every 3 months!!!

You BOB can be as big as you can comfortably make it. Try to keep it under 35 lbs. Make sure you can carry it or put it in a tough, rolling case. You can even make a note by the BOB to grab a heavy duty wagon or double stroller to place children or BOB's that they cannot carry in.

-Bag: This can be a camping backpack, large backpack, rolling suitcase, duffel bag, whatever. Make sure you have reflective stickers on your BOB. I saw one pack that had a water bladder inside that could be filled up.

-Emergency Binder In a Water Proof Container.

-Cash Money ($50-$100 per person in small bills and change (for buses, food, change for landline phone calls, etc.), credit cards, pre-paid phone cards.

-Adults also carry medications for children.

-Scriptures are a necessity.

-Make sure everyone has emergency contacts both in and out of city/ state as well as copy of the emergency plan. It is good to have a simple plan written out for "What our family does if we get separated" For example does everyone call Grandma? If so what is the phone number/address of Grandma? These are the things that kiddos don't know and us adults can forget in the panic of crisis. 

-Multiple photographs of each person in the family in the clothing that is in their BOB. You should have both a formal and informal picture of close ups and distance. I look extremely different in "real life" than my primped and maybe Photo shopped family photos. If something happens, I already know my hair will most likely be in a ponytail/ braid, I won’t be wearing makeup, and I definitely won’t be in a dress. Along with this, maybe when we are rotating clothes/ food for the kits we should have everyone wear the outfit in the kit and take a picture (for the kit). That way our children will know to tell someone "This is my mom, she’s wearing either this outfit or this outfit" and know how to easier identify us. I also plan on each family member having one of those "lost kid" kits police officers will usually hand out to children. This includes their fingerprints, photo, distinguishing characteristics, height, allergies, contacts, etc. I am assuming that small children will be too confused or unable to remember everything about their family.
I know when my brother got lost for 3 hours from home at age 4, he found some kids and they led him to their parents and when they asked him who he was or how to get a hold of his parents he answered "I don't know" to everything- even though we knew we had taught him our address and phone number. Through his confusion/ fear of never getting home, he didn't even know how to describe our mom and said he would know her if he saw her. Thankfully, the parents and patrolling police got him home safely.

-Disposable camera because it is important to document and photograph before and after pictures for insurance purposes. It is also good idea to have a phone list of your insurance company contacts, banker, etc. If you can't get back into your home and need those you will be happy to have them. 

-Fire Starter Kit: You want to have at least 3 different ways to start a fire and kindling. This can include: waterproof matches (take matches and dip tips in clear nail polish. Let dry. Waterproof does not mean that you can light matches underwater), lighter, flint and steel, magnifying glass (held up to the sun with magnification focused on kindling), mirror (focus sun ray on kindling), sand paper, homemade fire starter (dryer lint, waxed dipped fabric, wood, Vaseline soaked cotton balls, etc), kindling, Vaseline, cotton balls, candles (You can put a small votive candle in an empty baby food jar so if it melts it isn't a big deal).

-Fishing Kit: 4 fishing hooks, fishing wire, sinker, lure, floater

-Tent Kit: Have a tube tent (or real tent), Tarp, shower curtain (this can be used to put under the tent so as to avoid a wet tent from the wet ground, zip ties

-Sewing Kit: 4+ needles, thread of several colors, threader, scissors, seam ripper

-Toiletries Kit: Toilet paper (remove cardboard and flatten in zip lock), pads, tampons, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, folding brush, mouthwash, baby wipes, wash cloth, bandana #1( to wet and keep head cool, medical wrap, etc.), hair ties, deodorant, lotion, sunscreen, nail clippers/ file, floss, soap, shampoo, conditioner, shaving razor, hand sanitizer, etc. Warning: Scented soaps or items will flavor food items.

Although you think you can live without things like shampoo, soap, and toothpaste, These items are vital for fighting off disease and infection. Brushing your teeth for example removes and reduces bacteria and decaying food in your mouth. I was told by both a dentist and a  doctor that when you do not brush your teeth and go to sleep, the bacteria and decaying food in your mouth goes straight throughout your body. This causes your organs to decay and, if you never brush at night, can literally take years off of your life.

-Water Purification Kit: Canteen with measurements on it, Some form of water purification (Tablets, drops, pumps), bandana #2 to filter water, unscented liquid bleach in eye dropper with instructions (Note: Bleach has a shelf life of only 2 years)

-Kitchen Kit: Dish soap, sponge, manual can opener, metal food utensils, plate, bowl, pot, pan, cooking dish, cup, rag, kitchen knife, ladle/ spoon, ,shot glass measuring cup, zip locks: 4 of each size (sandwich, quart, snack, and gallon), 4 trash bags. Salt, pepper, spices (in pill container), etc. Pack sippy cups for small children. Collapse-able stove with extra fuel

-Multivitamins. Your food will most likely lack precious vitamins.

-First Aid Kit: Band-Aids, medical bandage wrap, shaving razor, aspirin, decongestants, nasal spray, sea sick bracelets, chap stick, thermometer, Vaseline (not the same as the fire starter), disposable rubber gloves, cotton balls (not the same as the fire starter), Vic’s vapor rub, Neosporin, first aid manual, 3 bandanas (not same as water purification), safety pins, rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, bleach, tweezers, scissors, etc. Add children’s Tylenol, teething tablets, waterproof bandage, mole skin, tongue depressors, q-tips, tums, children’s medicine syringe, etc. for small children.

I have never understood the reasoning for the shaving razor, yet couldn't bring myself to remove it from my kit. I don't think I would mind going a few days without shaving, so what was the point, right? Well, at my cousin's wedding reception, one of my nephew's cut his head. His parents worked around his hair to try and patch up the wound, when a loving grandma brought over a shaving razor and shaved the kids head, allowing them to properly treat the wound. An air of "DUH" came over me and the parents. Now I will always keep the razor in my kit.

-Medications, vitamins, eye glasses, eye drops, contacts, hearing aid batteries or other vital personal items.

-Misc. Equipment (you do not have to have all of this stuff): Hunting knife, windup  flashlight, scissors, whistle, compass, radio with extra batteries, shovel, axe, bow saw, pocket knife, pad of paper, pencil, rope (to tie up foods kits in trees from wild animals), cloth bag (use with rope), string, wire, umbrella (also to be used to keep the sun off of you), thermal blanket, poncho, hand warmers, flashlight/ lantern, headlamp with extra batteries, flares, duct tape, heavy work gloves, tent, dust mask, disposable rubber gloves, local easy to read map, phone charger, clothespin, clothes line, earplugs/ ear phones, sunglasses, tools, whistle, any hunting gear, survival book, book on edible plant life, bug repellent, itch relief spray, snake bite kit, crank radio, saw, bleach, gun/ holster/ bullets, entrenching tool, signal mirror (mirror with hole through middle of it- hole lined up with plan makes signal reflections), walkie talkies, binoculars, gas mask

-Misc.: Coloring book, colored pencils, cards, small book, emergency book, permanent marker, harmonica, small games, disposable camera, children’s song book, crossword puzzle/word search book

-Bedding and Clothing: Hat, rain or snow coat, cloth sheet, plastic sheet (for ground), sleeping bag, blankets, emergency Mylar blankets, 2-3 changes of clothing (short and long sleeved shirts, pants, jackets, socks, etc.; pack also depending on season) and undergarments. Walking shoes or boots, and 1 pair sandals.

Note: Pack extra socks for hiking. Update children's clothing ever 3-6 months; It is better to pack larger clothing instead of smaller clothing. I also add extra underwear and even a few diapers for small children.

 -Candy/ treat. This can be gum, hard candies, suckers, candy canes, etc. It is amazing how a small treat can uplift your spirits. Warning: Gum, mint, and beef jerky can make everything smell or taste like it's flavor. Jolly ranchers, mints, and chocolates will melt. Place these types of items in their own zip lock and place by the BOB to place in it when the time comes, not in it.

-Food and water for 3-7 days. Fit as much food as you can into this kit!! Note that if you are pregnant or nursing, I would pack double the amount of food and water.

-Food and Water That do not require refrigeration and stay fresh for a long time. Choose food that is ready to eat or requires minimal amount of water.

Make sure to clearly and largely label everything with the date canned and expiration date.

*Add extra water for items needing water to cook*

Be careful of items that are too salty or spicy as those will make you more thirsty causing you to need more water.

Water supply is 1 gallon (4 liters) per person per day.

**For food ideas check out my post “Emergency Kit notes and food suggestions**

Toddler Bug Out Bag Extras:

Diapers, sippy cups, bottles, formula, children’s Tylenol, teething tablets, pacifier, baby wipes, baby food, baby utensils, oral syringe, thermometer, child snacks