The Most Comprehensive Bug Out Bag Checklists

Have you wondered why all the bug-out bag checklists are on the internet? You may call them 72-hour kits, a survival kit, or an emergency preparedness kit. Either way, we need them for our family. This is how I see it; I’m not planning on bugging out unless my neighborhood needs to be evacuated during a disaster.

If Mark and I head to the hills, we may become targets of some loony people who are out of control. I must be clear here: I own a weapon, and I believe in protecting my family, however possible.

Here’s the deal: we need the items I have listed below, even if we don’t bug out. I have readers who physically can’t bug out or have no place to go if they leave their homes. Even if we leave our homes, will the destination be safe for our family? Maybe or maybe not. If we are asked to evacuate, you need this bag filled with items YOU plan to use.

Each family is faced with different survival situations depending on family size, location, the makeup of family members, financial circumstances, etc. As you plan and put together your survival gear, all these things need to be considered and the bag contents adjusted accordingly. I also suggest you don’t go into debt trying to be prepared. Take your time and put things together as best you can with the resources you have.

If Stores Close

Our local stores can close abruptly. Can we provide food, water, and OTC drugs or a needed prescription medication for our family for an extended period? Please don’t think the government will rescue you; in most cases that’s not going to happen. Period. If you’re on food stamps, you need to be prepared to feed your family without store access to use them. The government very likely will no longer be refilling the EBT card you have in your possession.

I call this my Come to Jesus message: please be prepared for the unexpected. You need to take care of your family; it’s called being self-reliant. Tough survival situations have hit our country numerous times in the past couple of years, and I feel more are coming.

I quote Wikipedia EMP-Electromagnetic Pulse

“EMP interference is generally disruptive or damaging to electronic equipment, and at higher energy levels, a powerful EMP event, such as a lightning strike, can damage physical objects such as buildings and aircraft structures.”

Utilities/Internet Will Not Work

The store may be closed, or our country may be hit by an EMP, in which case my car will not work due to the electronics being fried. If, by chance, you have a vehicle that will survive an EMP, you may be able to drive to a store. But, the shelves will be empty very quickly.

The pharmacies won’t be able to process your prescription needs because the Internet will not work. Forget the ATMs; they will not work, and neither will your direct deposit. You get the picture. We’ll be back to non-electric times.

Have you read the book “Lights Out” by Ted Koppel? If not, you need to; it will open your eyes as to how unprepared our country is regarding our power grids. It’s pathetic, I kid you not.

Please refer to “Bugging In” by Raymond Dean White and my book, “Prepare Your Family For Survival.”

Bug Out Bags – Food

Food is certainly what you’d consider one of your essentials. I store this food in my home to keep the temperature more consistent for a longer-term shelf life; I can grab it if we need to evacuate.

Please check out this post for details on these food items. Linda’s Grab and Go Food Storage

Bug Out Bags

You can start by filling boxes with the items you feel your family needs to put in a bug-out bag later. I purchased some oversized bags with wheels for Mark and me and each of our daughters and their spouses.

I store my water and food separately from my bug-out bag. Remember, there are several different kinds of bug-out bags, as detailed below.

There’s no way you can put everything in one bag. You may have to put together multiple bags, depending on the type of disaster taking place. The bag(s) should be of a good quality with durability in mind.

Pet Bug Out Bag

1. Water/food dish
2. Photo of the dog (to be circulated in case they get separated from you)
3. Complete medical records
4. Chip ID information
5. Leash/harness/collar
6. Sweater
7. Toys
8. Blanket
9. Brush/comb
10. Cat or Dog food (enough for at least three days)
11. Water  (enough for at least three days)
12. Pet First Aid Book
13. Vet wrap 2″ and 4″/trauma pad
14. Gauze bandage rolls (2″, 4″, and 6″)
15. Adhesive tape
16. Tweezers/scissors/surgical soap
17. Thermometer/mineral oil
18. Disinfectant solution
19. Styptic powder/cornstarch
20. Benadryl/triple antibiotic ointment
21. Eyewash
22. Saline
23. Medication, 5-day supply
24. Tick-Flea Meds
25. Paper towels/plastic bags/zip-lock bags
26. Dog and/or cat carrier(s)
27. Cat litter box/litter

PRINTABLE List: FSM 72-hour kit Pets

Child Bug Out Bag – Each Family Member Should Have a Bag

1. Family picture(s) with names and phone numbers/email addresses (in case they get separated from you or if you have a child who can’t verbalize who they are)
2. Fingerprints, if you have them
3. Water (enough for three days)
4. Age-appropriate food that your child will eat: MREs (Meals Ready To Eat—add water), food that is ready to eat without water, freeze-dried veggies, freeze-dried fruit, freeze-dried yogurt bites, snacks, graham crackers, peanut butter crackers, cereal, raisins, fruit leather, fruit snacks, etc.
5. Candy (such as suckers)
6. Juice boxes
7. Cup, plate, bowl & silverware/child mess kit
8. Reading books
9. Colored pencils/non-electric pencil sharpener or markers, crayons (not for car or garage-they’d melt)
10. Paper, tablets, coloring books
11. Puzzles, games, small activities, and Play Dough
12. Medications: Motrin/Tylenol, Cough syrup (rotate yearly)
13. Any medication you use occasionally: antibiotic ointment, Vaseline, saline spray, etc.
14. Baby wipes/diapers/formula/baby food/baby food grinder/pacifiers
15. Solar or small blankets
16. Small pillow
17. Hand sanitizer
18. First Aid Kit (child-size Band-Aids)
19. Extra clothes/jacket/sweater (sweat suits are ideal for storage because you can cut the sleeves and legs off if the weather is too warm or wear them as is in cold weather)
20. Child size N-95 masks–practice with these BEFORE you need to use them
21. Bible/Scriptures, etc.

PRINTABLE List: FSM 72-Hour Kits For Children

Adult Bug Out Bag

1. Water for at least three days (1-4 gallons per day), water purifiers and water filter/ purifier bottles (like Sports Berkey Portable Water Purifier)
2. Food to last for at least three days: MREs (Meals ready to eat); hot and cold ready-to-eat food packages; freeze-dried fruits and vegetables; and candy, gum, jerky, fruit snacks, raisins, fruit leather, granola bars, peanuts, crackers, etc.
3. Aspirin, Aleve, Ibuprofen, Vitamin C, cold remedies, Essential Oils, etc., and antacids (for upset stomachs). Don’t forget Tylenol PM or something similar to use as a sleeping aid.
4. Axe/shovel combo
5. Baggies (all sizes)
6. Batteries (all sizes-rotate yearly)
7. Bible/Scriptures
8. Bee sting & bite kit
9. Blanket–solar is thinner
10. Pillow
11. Bleach (household chlorine–nonscented)
12. Books
13. Bung wrench/Gas shut-off wrench
14. Small bills/coins (if we lose power, ATMs won’t work; credit/debit cards won’t work)
15. Can opener (non-electric)
16. Canned stove (stove in a can)
17. Candles/glow sticks
18. Cards or small games to play
19. Chapstick/lip balm
20. Chargers in case we have electricity
21. Coats/Jackets/Sweaters/Extra Clothes & Shoes
22. Coffee Pot, pitcher, container
23. Cooking pot, griddle, or fry pan
24. A cooking stove of some kind/fuel/fire starter/striker
25. Compass
26. Contact lenses & supplies
27. Cotton Swabs/Kleenex Tissues
28. Disinfectant
29. Duct tape
30. Emergency sewing kit
31. Fingernail clippers/nail file
32. Fire extinguisher
33. First Aid Kit
34. Hand Warmers
35. Flashlights (preferably solar or crank); don’t forget batteries (store batteries outside the flashlights to keep them fresh)
36. Garbage Bags
37. Glasses (extra pair of eyeglasses)
38. Gloves/latex or non-latex
39. Hair brushes/combs
40. Hats, gloves/scarves
41. Headlamp
42. Hearing Aid, plus batteries
43. Imodium/Anti-Diarrhea medicine
44. Instant milk (chocolate would be good as well)
45. Ipecac (check with poison control if possible)
46. Hot pads, dish towels/rags/dish soap
47. Lanterns/compact lights
48. Latex/Non-latex gloves
49. Masks N-95 minimum
50. Matches (waterproofed)
51. Mess Kits
52. Mirror
53. Scissors
54. All Purpose Knife
55. Mosquito Spray
56. Personal Hygiene (tampons, pads, feminine supplies, etc.)
57. Post Notes/pencils/pens/crayons
58. Radio/crank and or battery type (pack batteries)
59. Rain Poncho
60. Rope
61. Safety pins, several sizes
62. Shaving cream, shavers (disposable)
63. Solar lights
64. Sunglasses
65. Temporary toilet and bags
66. Thermal Underwear
67. Thermometer
68. Toilet Paper, shampoo, hand soap, baby wipes, hand sanitizer, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and tweezers
69. Tools
70. Tent(s)
71. Umbrella
72. Utensils, plates, cups, and silverware to cook and eat with
73. Vaseline
74. Wet wipes-lots of them, they might be our only shower
75. Whistles, Walkie Talkies (test before you need them for distance) like Motorola Talkabout 2-Way Radios
76. NOAA Weather Radio
77. Work Gloves

PRINTABLE List: FSM 72-hour kit Adults

Emergency Car Kit

1. Names and phone numbers of who to contact in an emergency
2. Battery/crank-powered portable radio/extra batteries
3. Flashlight/preferably one with solar/crank/LED
4. Compass and maps: not everyone has GPS in their car and on phones
5. Can of motor oil
6. Fire Extinguisher(5 pound ABC type)
7. Flares and/or orange cones
8. Jumper cables
9. Rags/paper towels
10. Shovel
11. Pocketknife
12. Tire gauge
13. Toolbox
14. Window scraper for ice
15. Tow Rope
16. Bungee cords
17. Duct tape
18. Waterproof matches

Necessities for Survival

1. Water
2. Blankets
3. Jackets/sweaters
4. Emergency cash: approximately $50.00 in small bills
5. First Aid Kit
6. Baby Wipes
7. Hand Sanitizer
8. Scissors/pens/pencils (not crayons-they melt)
9. Emergency snack food and/or MRE meals (items may need to be replaced more frequently if stored in extreme heat conditions)
10. Whistles
11. Umbrella
12. Hand warmers
13. Extra blankets
14. A 12-volt air compressor, work gloves, a tire plug set (buy them cheaply at Walmart), emergency repair tape – self-fusing silicone tape

PRINTABLE List: Emergency Car Kits

First Aid Kit

1. Ace Wraps: 3-inch & 4-inch
2. Allergy Medicine
3. Anti-Bacterial Wipes
4. Antifungal Ointment
5. Anti-Diarrhea
6. Anti-Itch Cream
7. Aleve (Naproxen)
8. Alcohol: 90-100% proof
9. Apple Cider
10. Aspirin/Advil
11. Bandage Scissors
12. Band-Aids/Butterfly, Several Sizes
13. Bee Sting Kit
14. Benadryl, Liquid, and Chewable
15. Betadine/iodine swabs
16. Birth Control
17. Boudreaux’s Butt Paste
18. Bug Spray 100% Deet
19. Burn Gel
20. Calamine Lotion
21. Castor Oil
22. Cold Medicine/Cough Syrup
23. Contacts/Contact Cases/ Extra Glasses/Saline
24. Condoms
25. Cotton Balls
26. Cotton Swabs
27. Dramamine (motion sickness)
28. Dressings for open wounds
29. Duct Tape and medical tape (all different sizes)
30. Ear-Loop Masks (N-95), all sizes
31. Ear Plugs
32. Elastic Gauze Bandage Rolls
33. Epsom Salt
34. Essential Oils Book
35. Eye Patches
36. First-Aid Book
37. First-Aid Shears
38. Flashlights w/Batteries
39. Floss
40. Gloves (non-latex)
41. Gauze Pads (sterile and non-sterile)
42. Hand sanitizer
43. Heat packs-Heating pads-Thank you, Janet and Leanne, for this reminder: Hot water bottles
44. Hemorrhoid Ointment/Suppositories
45. Ibuprofen
46. Mylar Blankets
47. Hydrocortisone
48. Lip balm/ ChapStick
49. Lotion or Body Cream
50. Menstrual Pads and Tampons
51. Mucinex
52. Mucinex Dm
53. Motrin
54. Monistat (Yeast Infections)
55. Mouthwash
56. Molefoam/Moleskin
57. Multi-Task Knife
58. Nasal Decongestant
59. Nasal Spray (Afrin)
60. New Skin Liquid Bandage
61. Non-stick Sterile Pads
62. Nystatin and Triamcinolone Acetonide
63. Nail Clippers
64. Neosporin
65. Orajel
66. Petroleum Jelly
67. Pepto-Bismol Chewables
68. Peroxide
69. Pregnancy Test
70. Quick clot
71. Rolled Gauze
72. Scissors
73. Silver Gel
74. Silver Liquid
75. Silver Cough Lozenges
76. Sleep-Aid Medicine
77. Splinter Removal Kit
78. Splints
79. Soap
80. Stethoscope
81. Sunscreen
82. Surgical Face Masks (N-100), all sizes
83. Tick Remover
84. Toothbrushes/Toothpaste
85. Tucks Pads-Which Hazel
86. Tweezers
87. Tylenol
88. Vicks VapoRub
89. Zantac (Acid Reducer)
90. Ziplock Bags
91. VITAMINS
92. B-12 Vitamins
93. B-complex vitamins
94. Calcium
95. D-3 Vitamins
96. Magnesium
97. Mature Complete Multivitamin
98. Omega 3 Fish Oil
99. Vitamin C
100. Essential Oils

PRINTABLE List: First Aid Kit List

Some of these bug-out bag checklists may seem lengthy and cumbersome; remember to start with a little and add the items your family may need. You will be one step closer to being prepared for the unexpected. You can do it, one item at a time. May God bless this world, Linda