Bug Out Bag Zombie Apocalypse

August 9, 2014

Picking the right Bug Out Bag – Its the Zombie Apocalypse!

The news reports of total chaos are coming in. People are running, screaming and being eaten in the streets. Its time to get the hell out of dodge but there is just one thing. You forgot to list, prepare and pack your Bug Out Bag. “Oh shit!”….

Don’t be that person who is left unprepared when a crisis hits and you have to leave everything and GO! That’s why you’ve already packed your Bug Out Bag and are ready to go!

Make a Bug out Bag item list first – HAVEN’T MADE a LIST? Click HERE

What is a Bug Out Bag?

As the name implies a Bug Out Bag is a portable kit or backpack that contains all the items someone would need to survive for at least seventy-two hours when evacuating from a disaster. The focus is on evacuation rather than on long-term survival. The main aim of a bug out bag is to allowing you to evacuate at a moments notice if an emergency should hit.

Your bag should be used in conjunction with a bug-out plan, which routes you will take to leave (don’t assume you’ll be able to drive out), as well as with 1 or 2 predetermined bug-out locations you’ve scouted out before hand you’ll head to during a crisis.

Building your Bag – Pregame

A bug out bag in not a one size fits all. Each bag will be tailored to a specific person, region and climate. Though all bags should contain a bug out bag’s basic essentials: food, water. Start by putting together a list of the items you’ll need in a bug out situation. Read this GUIDE to create your own bug out bag list.

When you are making your list don’t over think things. Not everything you have on your list will make the final cut into your bag. Building your bug out bag isn’t supposed to difficult or stressful. It should be a fun and enjoyable experience.

Picking your Bug out Bag

One major mistake people make is to get the bag before you have any items to put in it. Your bag needs to be accessible and lightweight and tailored to suit your individual needs. Your bag may have items another person’s doesn’t and vice versa. A good benchmark to find out if your bag is the right size for you is to know the exact weight you will be carrying. If you can carry this amount of weight while hiking for an hour or more you should most likely be okay.

Because you will be humping your bag over miles of terrain you will want something with plenty of padding along the straps and belt-line. You want to make sure your bug out bag is as comfortable as you can get as you will be wearing it for extra extended periods of time. Up front a better bag may cost you more but during a zombie apocalypse your not going to be wishing you had saved some money.

Give your bag some Space

Outside of comfort and fit, the most important consideration when picking our your bug out bag is the actual amount of space the bag provides including the number of extra compartments. Having enough places to store your gear is never a fault. The more pockets, zippers, loops and straps you have on your bug out bag the more organized you’ll be. In an emergency situation organization is key and you don’t want to be fumbling around in your bag when yours or someone else’s life hangs in the balance. You want to be able to get to the gear you need exactly when you need it.

Looks could be Everything

Sporting that shiny new camo bag you picked up from the Army surplus might not be the best idea. Why? Because people act irrationally in crisis situations and having a bag that looks TOO GOOD might make you a target. You want a bag that is inconspicuous and doesn’t draw attention.

A great way to do this is by using a Rain Cover. Its will conceal your bag as well as any items hanging off. Choose a look that doesn’t say “Hey, check out my bag, it got like everything you need to survive in it”.

You can be sure others will have their bags decked out overt but the last thing you want is for others to know yours is full of life saving gear and not just some extra clothes and underwear. Not standing out and fading into your surroundings is critical.

You got to keep’em Separated

You should also consider wearing a tactical vest to hold the your most critical items. So if for any reason you ever be come separated from your bug out bag you’ll still be carrying the most important items on you.

Angler’s vests are great but if you need something a little more heavy duty, you may want to think about a tactical-type vest used by law enforcement or military personnel. If you are especially concerned for your safety there are vests that made of Kevlar, just in case. Because blending in is so critical make sure you have an extra layer to throw on over your vest to conceal what you’re carrying.

Bug out Bag Options

Spec-Ops Brand T.H.E. Pack – ( U.A.P.)