“A prudent person foresees the danger ahead and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.”
Proverbs 27:12
My Addiction To Science Fiction
Believe it or not, Sci-Fi, specifically books or movies that involve sudden overwhelming disaster situations influence my preparation choices and decisions. As an example, I enjoy 
movies such as the 2005 version of War of The Worlds or JJ Abram’s Cloverfield. Each of these flicks begins the same, introduction of characters life as usual and out of no where, a sudden SHTF issue. In War of The Worlds, Tom Cruise runs homes after experience a situation in which countless people are killed by an overwhelming unstoppable force.
“On the evening of October 30, 1938, a young Orson Wells via CBS radio presented a realistic version of H.G. Wells War of The Worlds. Many listeners didn’t pick up that this drama was only make believe. Mass hysteria followed as many believed the earth was under attack by Martians. Can something like this happen in our time?”
Once home, our hero decides it’s time to bug out, what does he do, he tosses a flash light, peanut butter and other crap in an oil box and heads out the door to join the unprepared masses running the streets.
My prepper’s mind always kicks in, I start talking to the screen and ask the same question, “ I bet you wish you had a Get Home or Bug Out Bag ready.” After I’m told to shut up for the 100th time, I lay back and enjoy the flick knowing that if a giant monster appears on the edge of town or alien tripods emerge from the street, I’m grabbing my @#$# and running out the door prepared.
RECOMMENDED: Why You Need A Get Home Bag
What Is A Bug Out Bag?
A Bug Out Bag, not to be confused with a Get Home Bag is essentially a mobile version of the 72-hour home kit you should already have. It’s usually a backpack (or whatever works for you) filled with the gear and supplies you’ll need to make it for 72 hours in the event of a disaster that prevents you from staying in place and utilizing your home emergency preparedness kits.
Events such as chemical leaks or spills, earthquakes, flash floods, or alien tripod attacks can happen without little to no advance warning. The purpose of the BOB is to be able to grab and go with enough stuff to last you 3 days either in the local park or the long walk to grand mommy’s house way out in the boonies.
What’s In A Bug Out Bag?
A BOB to me may not be a BOB that will work for you. Regardless of the owner, there are several basics that all bags share.
1. The Bag
The choice of bag is almost as important as what you stuff inside it. DO NOT cut corners and buy the cheapest bag/backpack you can find. Your life and the lives of your family could very well depend on this kit holding up.
2. Water
By now you’ve heard this over one hundred times, water is life. Your BOB should be one that is based around carrying as much water as possible. By that I mean your kit should have a way to attach water carrying devices such as water bladders and/or canteen or water bottle holders.
Preferably both run out of aqua and you’re done. You may as well have stayed at home and been plowed under by the disaster. At least that’s a quick death.
3. Food
It goes without saying, walking or running for your life consumes calories. When it’s time to eat it’s time to eat. Your next most important consideration is food. What’s the point in packing food, you’re only going to be out for a day, three at the most?
Nothing ever goes as planned. Roads can become washed out, civil unrest can break out along your primary course to safety, and your little day trip just turned into a several-day trip. Act like a Boy Scout and be prepared.
4. Shelter
Why shelter? Please see above.
5. First Aid
Things happen in emergencies. Yesterday’s minor scratch can turn into tomorrow’s nasty infection. In the event of a major incident, hospitals could be inundated with casualties, and you’re going to have to look out for yourself until things settle down.
There’s also the moral component, Am I My Brother’s Keeper, in most cases, yes I am. I may find it hard to leave an injured person untreated.
6. Communications
Cell phones may not work in the event of a major incident. A few years back at the Indiana State Fair, a stage collapsed onto the crowd, and cell phone communications were jammed for quite some time. We saw the same thing in Boston.
If you’re traveling with a group (e.g. your family, pack a few two-way radios).
What Goes Into A Bug Out Bag You Can Live With-Click Here
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