Prepping a bug out bag for your family requires much more than preparing one for yourself. You must consider additional supplies like multivitamins for growing kids, extra clothing and toys, emergency contacts, and maps.
Your bug out bags should have enough supplies to sustain your family for 72 hours if you must evacuate during a disaster. Read on to learn about our top pick for the best bug out bag for your family.
1. Size
A bugout bag is a backpack or suitcase that contains all the supplies a family member would need to survive in case of an emergency. It is designed to be small enough and lightweight enough for the person carrying it to move quickly in a crisis. It can include supplies like food, water, first aid supplies, and tools that you might need for self-sufficiency if you have to leave your home during an emergency.
A fully tricked out bug out bag for a family of four would include two backpacks, enough food and water to sustain everyone for 72 hours, a portable toilet, and dog items like a leash and food bowl. It might cost more than a basic bag, but it can save your family from a lot of trouble and discomfort if you have to evacuate quickly.
The bags should be made of sturdy materials that are lightweight, preferably fire retardant. They should also have a compartment for a weapon, if you plan to use it as part of your bugout strategy.
If you have kids, it’s a good idea to let them help you pack their bags. That way, they’ll be more invested in them and will know what to do if the time comes when they need to use them. It will also keep them busy during an evacuation, so they won’t be tempted to wander off.
2. Organization
The best bug out bags are organized and easy to access. This allows family members to carry what they need and get it quickly. This is particularly important with elderly family members who may be unable to haul very heavy loads. Look for a bag with specialized compartments for things like medical supplies, first aid kits, and even conceal carry weapon (CCW) carriers. One such example is a bag from Vertx called the Tourist Sling Bag.
It features a number of pockets, a pouch for a water bladder, padded floating laptop sleeve, and other great family-friendly features. The entire kit is designed to support four people for up to 72 hours and weighs only 9 lbs.
While most premade bug out bags are designed with the basic survival needs in mind, they may not be fully stocked or organized to meet the specific needs of your family. Be sure to evaluate your gear periodically and include items that reflect the particular threats you face in your area.
For example, if you live near a large river or lake, consider including fishing gear such as bait, hooks and string. These can be a lifesaver if you’re stranded and hungry. If you’re worried about a food shortage, include emergency rations such as Datrex’s compact emergency rations that contain enough calories for three days.
3. Comfort
Regardless of whether you’re facing a zombie apocalypse or an emergency natural disaster like an earthquake or hurricane evacuation, bug out bags can help you get to safety and survive until rescue arrives. These survival backpacks are typically packed with essential items that can sustain a person for 72 hours or more until help comes your way.
They’re also usually designed to make it easy for you to evade danger by leaving dangerous areas quickly. You can find them packed with a variety of useful gear, including weapons, tarps, sleeping bags, emergency water pouches, fire starters, and rain ponchos. Some even have a padded floating laptop sleeve that’s made for maritime operations and is capable of protecting your digital devices from water damage.
A good bug out bag is comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. For this reason, you want to look for one with a waist belt and sternum strap to distribute the weight evenly across your back and shoulders. It’s also important that the bag fits you well. If it’s too big or too small, it will be uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time.
Some people prefer to have a personalized bug out bag for each family member. This is a good option if you have children of different ages who need their own supplies. However, this can be a logistical nightmare and requires significant subject-matter expertise to assemble. A better solution is to choose a pre-made bug out bag with the survival items you need already included.
4. Versatility
A bugout bag should be ready to go at a moment’s notice. That means it needs to be versatile enough to accommodate different scenarios, such as an emergency lockdown or a zombie apocalypse. It should also be durable enough to withstand repeated use in different environments.
Thankfully, there are premade bug out bags for sale that can save you time and money. However, they still require careful consideration to ensure the specifics are right for your family’s unique situation.
For example, you’ll need to decide how many bags you need for each member of your family and how much gear each will need to survive in an emergency. You should also consider your bug out plan and whether you’ll need to travel across urban landspace or traverse natural wilderness terrain.
The most essential bug out items are food and water. Since food can take up a lot of space, it’s best to only pack food that won’t spoil quickly. This means you’ll want to invest in dense, precise food rations like Datrex emergency rations.
Another important item is a water filter. You’ll need to ensure you can filter water on the fly and fill bottles and bladders quickly, so you won’t get dehydrated. In addition, you’ll need to include a first aid kit in each bug out bag. Ideally, you’ll find a kit that’s lightweight and compact but still fully outfitted with the most common medical supplies.