We’ve covered Bug Out Bags (BOB) quite a few times in the past, but most of these lists tend to go over the basics and tend to miss the more nuanced items you should have in your bag.
Sure you know about a survival knife, food, and water, but what about a way to dig yourself in, or sleep off of the ground? Once you have the basics down, there are definitely some great items you should have in your pack. Have a favorite little-known favorite that everyone should have in his or her packs? Leave it in the comments below so we can all be a little more prepared.
Hammock
Most people think about hammocks as a tool to relax and not a survival tool in the least. While a hammock is definitely comfortable and relaxing, newer hammocks are perfect for surviving in the wild.
A good hammock will get you up and off the ground away from bugs and animals while giving you a more comfortable nights sleep than a rocky ground ever could. Better yet, you don’t even need to find level or dry ground. As long as you have two poles or trees to tie between, you’re all set.
Hennesssy Hammocks are built for survival and are even used by the military. These new hammocks take up next to no space and even come with tops built in so it’s like sleeping in a floating tent. If you don’t have a hammock in your bug out bag, you should get one now.
e-Tool
The e-tool is also known as an entrenching tool. This small collapsible spade has been used by militaries around the world for quite some time. A good entrenching tool will fold small yet be sturdy and nearly unbreakable when fully extended.
Standard-issue military e-tools only fold once, but newer ones like the SOG Entrenching Tool fold twice to take up as little space as possible in your bag.
From digging holes to putting out fires and even used as a weapon, the e-tool is something that deserves space in your pack.
Poncho
For some reason it’s considered manly to not care about getting wet. Those guys will be the first ones getting sick in a survival situation and possibly even hypothermia. Keeping dry is important to do whenever you can, especially in a survival situation.
A poncho works to keep both you and your pack/supplies nice and dry while you’re trudging along. More than just a way to keep you dry while you’re walking, a poncho can work as a shelter, water catcher, ground cloth, or even a wind deflector while cooking.
Ponchos are small enough that you can keep at least one, possibly two in your bag so you and your supplies are safe and dry whenever possible. Remember, we’re talking about camping and military-style ponchos here, not the ones you get at a music festival for $10.
Wrap-Up
(Photo courtesy of flickr)
It’s easy to go on and on about the intricacies of the perfect Bug Out Bag, but that’s not the point. The point is to let you know about some of the best tips around for them so you get some ideas of your own and then you can be more prepared than you were before.
None of these are necessarily new ideas, but they are definitely items you’ll see missing from many BOB lists you find. While your bag is ideally small and probably already crammed with supplies these three items are solid and you should really do your best to make a little room.