Since there is the possibility of getting nuked, getting shot or having all of your belongings catch on fire, I've assembled an apocalypse bag, or what I like to call my bug-out bag. Most of the items on this list were bought from Amazon.
Feel free to use the list below to build your own bag or comment on anything I'm missing.
In the bags:
- Flashlights with extra batteries
- Two-way radios with extra batteries
- Crank radio (get a NOAA one)
- Emergency rations
- 0.01 micron hand pump water filter (covers viruses, not just parasites and bacteria)
- Goggles (for eye protection in the case of extreme weather or other potentially contaminated situation)
- N100 mask (for biological threats and particulates)
- Need concentrated soap (especially for nuclear fallout - single most important thing to do to prevent radiation sickness is gently wash all over with soap and water. Avoid conditioner because binds radioactive material to hair)
- Bagged water packs
- Chocolate bar (for morale)
- Knife
- 75 yards of paracord
- Mylar blankets
- Bandaids
- Sterile gauze
- Antibiotic ointment
- Superglue (for wounds)
- Medical tape
- Extra set of clothes
- Purell
- This sweet light-anywhere lighter
- Regular lighter
- Matches
- Ready-to-go tinder
- Body wipes
- Extra pair of glasses
- Extra set of clothes (natural fibers preferred)
- Extra dog food
- Foldable dog water bowl
- Stainless steel 60oz water bottles (uncoated, suitable for boiling water)
- Extra cell phone charging cord (can be charged with crank radio)
- Can opener
- Garbage bags
- Chapstick
- Cash ($200-400, probably will not be useful in the apocalypse)
Stashed in the house
- 6mm plastic sheeting with duct tape and scissors (for use in a shelter-in-place nuclear fallout situation to seal doors and windows and prevent contamination. Very heavy, but could be used to make a solar water still or a regular shelter if not needed for impromptu fallout shelter. Should probably cut it to size in advance)
- 5 gallons jugs of clean water
- Warm jacket by the door
- Small propane stove with extra propane
- Canned food
- I would like to put durable shoes by the door
Possible additions
- Fishing line
- Suturing kit
- Injectable lidocaine
- Essential medications (antibiotics, painkillers, epipens particularly)
- Taser
- Firearm (preferrably the 22lr as it has takedown power for self defense and is light enough to hunt small game)
- Inflatable sleeping mat
The Bag itself:
Really lightweight pack from Amazon
no lube?
That's what injectable lidocane is for.
I would add...
I have a bag with just two compartments:
First compartment: some weed and joints to chill out when it starts getting bad.
Second compartment: if it starts getting really bad, heroin/oxys.
I would add maybe the most important item, a tourniquet or 3
Check out the FieldCraft Survival podcast, they cover go bags etc
Estimated cost for the full bag?
Have two bags. One for me and the wife. All in around $500.
Add: Gold Better firearm... Roll of aluminum foil
Great list and would be even better with bourbon
if we have an apocalyptic event, I hope my wife and I are the first to go. the last thing I want to do is be stuck on a scorched earth with all the "itoldyaso" nutcases.
you should have stuff for if the power goes out, but beyond that, fuck it. just have some good booze and some powerful drugs to make it more spectacular.
see you on the other side, I'll be the bald guy not wearing a tin hat
This^, the worst part of the apocalypse, the "I Told You So" neighbor. Paint the x on my forehead, crack the Pappy Van and reflect on the good times.
I've got a pocket knife, solar powered phone charger, 1 water bottle and 1 protein bar. Probably need to spruce it up a bit but it's better than nothing. I've also got a firearm and fishing rod nearby that I would grab.
Is a fully charged phone without service useful for something?
I guess you're assuming cell towers go back up....
I mean you'd still have a pretty sweet pocket calculator to do valuations. a la this thread from earlier.
In your list I'm surprised firearm is listed as a "possible addition" and not a necessity for the apocalypse.
Yeah, not sure why I wrote "Possible Additions". I concur with you that this is a necessity.
or just have the necessary arms to rob anyone you encounter who did prepare in time...
this^
All i have is a gun, so basically your bug out bag as well.
My bag has my knife collection, plastic sheeting, my microscope slides with blood drops and a saw. I also keep hefty bags.
My plan in the worst case scenario is decently simple. We have secluded land out in the country, so I'd load up with a decent amount of food - I have enough MREs to last a few weeks, and always keep a good quantity of non-perishables on deck that can be tossed into a box and thrown in my car. Once out on the land, we have enough animals out there to hunt for food assuming the meat isn't tainted by radiation. In addition to this, I keep a number of high quality seeds which I could use to create a sustainable food source. I also have weapons in most of the popular types of ammunition (9mm, .45, .556, and .7x62) and enough ammo to wage a small war. I've given some thought to the ammunition situation, and it probably won't be practical to take all of it, just enough to hunt and possibly fend off looters. I'll leave the gun safe unlocked after I leave, it'll make a nice treat for whatever neighbors raid my home. Other than that, I have enough training and have spent enough time on that land to survive in relative comfort for quite some time. I may even enjoy it compared to how busy things are right now. Of course, with widespread panic and the two hour drive to that land, I may not even make it out there in that situation.
War against whom? Your afflicted neighbors who are also fleeing to the nearest city/aid point away from the fallout?
I could have phrased that better, I apologize. War was just a way of conveying how much ammunition I have. Although, a decent amount would be required both short term and long term. Look at all the looting during natural disasters, and look into the crime rates of those affected areas. These disasters are nowhere near the level we're talking about in this hypothetical scenario. Desperation can turn the kindest people into monsters to feed their children, and when you live in a region with a large number of guns it's better safe than sorry in my opinion.
lol wtf is .7x62
7x62* Still need an explanation, or are you just being a dick?
I think the .22LR is probably a poor choice for an apocalypse type scenario. Rim-fire ammo is materially less reliable vs. center-fire ammo, and the "takedown power" is less than ideal. I think a 9x19mm would be the minimum here, but ideally go with something like a .223 carbine if you're only going to have one.
Alright, I'll bite. Get a .45 compact kimber, no need for any special ammo unless you want to pick bullet fragments out of your food. You'd want something light, easy to conceal with adequate stopping power.
The kimbers are sexy beasts indeed. I personally would opt for a rifle or something polymer-framed in 9mm if it were to be a pistol, but 1911's are cool.
I liked this gun because it was very compact and could fold up neatly in a backpack. My gun knowledge is dusty so I will explore the others you have mentioned.
for hunting small game etc. nothing compares to .22. You can carry literally thousands in your hands. It's quiet and can be chambered in pistol and rifle. I'd love to see you carry thousands of 9mm vs .22 much less a rifle round.
But we're talking about a hypothetical apocalypse scenario, not a trip out into the woods to go plinking or shooting small game. In such a situation you could assume that you would encounter a) larger game and b) hostile people both of which would leave you in a firepower disadvantage with just a .22LR. I would also point out that during the Vietnam war, a GI carrying 500-1,000 rounds of .223/5.56 ammo was pretty much standard, so your comment about weight/size constraints aren't realistic. They also stopped doing this later on because everybody realized, 6-10 30rd magazines of rifle ammo are sufficient for most situations.
I really like the .22LR as a plinking, training, and small game round, but it would not be suitable for a situation like this.
If that's what gets you through the night...
snag a lightweight ar15/ak47 in 5.56/7.62 and probably a handgun (caliber of your choice).
I like the idea of preparing a BoB as well. I've toyed with the idea for a long time but have always put it off. Ideally, I think you would have at least one firearm per person. There is always the possibility of bad actors overpowering you and taking your stuff, but imagine if your wife couldnt defend herself because she didn't have "the gun?" Ideally a rifle and handgun per person IMO.
Strategy is also something you glossed over. Do you head toward a FEMA zone once the disaster hits or do you head towards the country like another poster suggested? I think your plan is just as important as your preparation, which would lead you to pick mode of transport (SUV vs motorcycle vs boat, etc.).
Strategy is to flee to our family country house in the foothills on 100 acres adjacent to another 300+ acres of BLM land. Turkey, deer, bear and rabbit roam freely here. We are self sustained on well water. Safe full of guns and ammunition here as well.
Likely need to stock full of canned food.
Challenges are that I live in on a peninsula with a few million people. Will likely die trying to get out. 1st choice is a chopper, second choice is motorcycle for easy maneuvering (assuming no nuclear fallout), 3rd choice is off-road SUV.
I like the offroad motorcycle angle. Easiest for maneuverability in the event your party is small making you all agile. If you have more space and "resources" I suppose you could even buy and own a small airplane (Cessna) to get to where you need to go as I think helicopters are much more expensive.
You guys are all mad. Who on earth actually has an 'apocalypse' bag?! If my phone runs out of battery or I can't clean my teeth/shower I'm basically useless.
Too easy. Your apocalypse bag needs a lot of batteries and febreeze.
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