The One Year Urban Survival Plan – Bug Out Bag Checklist

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The One Year Urban Survival Plan - Bug Out Bag Checklist
Table of Contents
  1. 72-Hour Kit Checklist
  2. Bug Out Bag Checklist

Note: I included the 72-hour kit checklist to make it clear that you should make this before your actual bug out bag.

72-Hour Kit Checklist

Below is a list of what to put in your 72-hour kit. You probably already have a lot of these. Go ahead and put them in a box or tote, and purchase whatever you don't have yet.

Bug Out Bag Checklist

Remember, this is just a suggested list. Feel free to modify it to suit your personal needs and preferences.

Water Purification (Bug Out Bag)

  • Camelbak – You can put this inside your backpack and bring it with you. It weighs about 6 pounds when full, but you'll likely drink it all in the first day. After that, you'll have to find sources of water along the way and purify it with a water filter or water purification tablets (see below). Note: Be sure to clean it out on a regular basis to prevent mold.
  • Canteen – This can be used to boil water, and it even comes with a little cup that you can use to make tea or soup. Be sure to get one made from stainless steel.
  • Collapsible water bottle – When unfolded, this will hold up to 22 ounces of water.
  • Collapsible water bowl – If you're bringing a pet, be sure to bring a water bowl.
  • Electrolyte tablets – If you're hiking all day, you're going to get dehydrated. These will help you retain fluids.
  • LifeStraw Go – This water bottle has a built-in water filter. Just fill it with water and use the straw.
  • Mio energy – Technically, this won't keep you hydrated because it's full of caffeine, but if you're a caffeine addict like me, this is a convenient way to avoid caffeine withdrawal. Just don't overdo it as caffeine is a diuretic.
  • Survival straw – Instead of getting a Lifestraw Go, you could get one of these and use it with your collapsible water bottle.
  • Water purification tablets – It's a good idea to have more than one way to purify water.
  • Ziploc bags – This isn't for hydration, but for organization. As you build your 72-hour kit, you can keep everything organized by using a variety of Ziploc bags.

Food (Bug Out Bag)

First Aid (Bug Out Bag)

Fire (Bug Out Bag)

  • Durastart cubes – These make it WAY easier to start a fire.
  • Foldable stove – This is for your bug out bag. With it, you'll be able to boil water in your canteen. Or you could cook up some food on a tiny skillet.
  • Fresnel lens – If you have some good tinder, this is an easy way to start a fire on a sunny day.
  • Hatchet – Use this to cut branches and chop up kindling.
  • Lighters – Bic lighters are the best. And if you're putting them in your bug out bag, wrap some gorilla tape around them first. It's very useful.
  • Magnesium fire starter – With this, you don't have to worry about it getting wet or running out of fuel.
  • Matches – It's good to have several fire-starting methods in case one of them doesn't work.
  • Pocket chainsaw – This is a great item for your bug out bag. You can use it to cut down a small tree and cut it up into fire logs.
  • Tinder – Unless it's been raining, you should be able to find some good tinder, but I included these just in case.

Clothes (Bug Out Bag)

  • Bandana – These have lots of different uses.
  • Belt – These also have many uses, but they're mainly to keep your pants up.
  • Coat or Jacket – For wintertime.
  • Hiking boots – Very important if you end up hiking through the wilderness. Keep them near your bug out bag.
  • Knee braces – These are crucial if you have bad knees.
  • Leather gloves – Great to have if you find yourself pushing through brush or handling anything hot or sharp.
  • Shirts – Pack 2 short or long-sleeved shirts so you'll have a total of 3.
  • Shorts or Pants – Pack 2 extra pairs so you'll have a total of 3.
  • Socks and Underwear – Pack several extra pairs of socks and underwear.

Shelter (Bug Out Bag)

  • Bivvy – An emergency sleeping bag made with Mylar to help retain body heat.
  • Ground cloth – Great to have if the ground is wet.
  • Mylar blanket – Combine this with the bivvy to stay even warmer.
  • Poncho – You'll definitely want this if it starts raining.
  • Rain fly – You can construct a small shelter using a rain fly.
  • Tent – This is optional. Tents can be kind of heavy, so you might want to break it up into several pieces and put each piece in a different person's bag.

Power (Bug Out Bag)

  • Flashlight stun gun – A regular flashlight is fine, but having a flashlight stun gun will help you fend off muggers and give yourself a chance to escape.
  • Charger – This is a standard block with a USB and USB-C port. Obviously, plugging it into the wall won't work if the power is out, but you'll need it for your devices if you bug out to a place that does have power.
  • Hand-crank radio – You'll need a radio so you can get news and information from authorities about whatever disaster is occurring.
  • Head lamp – I love these because they allow you to use your hands for cooking and other activities without needing to hold a flashlight.
  • Neck fan – These are surprisingly effective at keeping you cool during a summer power outage.
  • Portable solar panel – This can be unfolded and hung on the outside of your bug out bag so it can charge your devices while you're walking.
  • Power Bank – A mini power bank can hold enough power to fully charge your phone at least once.
  • Solar lantern – You can clip this to the outside of your bug out bag so it can charge up during the day, then you can use it to light up your campsite at night.
  • Walkie talkie – These don't have a very long range, but you can use them to keep in contact with other members of your group if you get separated while hiking or caravaning.

Hygiene (Bug Out Bag)

  • Camp soap – With camp soap, you can wash your hands without water.
  • Coin tissues – These are great for bug out bags. Just add a little water, unfold them, and you have a little wipe that you can use for cleaning or wiping after going #2.
  • Deodorant – Not essential, but nice to have, especially if it's hot and you don't have AC.
  • Hand sanitizer – This is crucial during a pandemic.
  • Nasal spray – Great to have if you get a stuffy nose at night like I do.
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste – Of course, you don't need this to survive for 3 days, but it's still nice to have a clean mouth.
  • Tush wipes – A great option if you don't have much water and don't want to waste it on coin tissues.
  • Wet wipes – Great for general cleaning.

Documents (Bug Out Bag)

These are things you should put in an emergency binder.

  • Driver's license
  • Passport
  • Social security card
  • School or employee ID
  • Credit cards (front and back)
  • Health insurance card
  • Birth certificate
  • Marriage certificate
  • Wills
  • Vehicle title
  • Property deed
  • Medical records
  • Immunization record
  • Prescriptions
  • Trust documents
  • Deed to burial plot
  • Insurance policies
  • Military service record
  • Bank account numbers
  • Income tax records
  • List of phone numbers (in case your phone is dead and you're borrowing someone else's phone)
  • Recent photos of each family member (in case you're separated and need help finding someone)
  • Map of local area

Miscellaneous (Bug Out Bag)

  • Chapstick – Even if you don't use Chapstick, it can still be very useful.
  • Compass – If you end up hiking through an area you're unfamiliar with, you'll need this.
  • Face mask – This is important to have if the disaster is a major pandemic.
  • Firearm – This depends on how comfortable you are with guns, but I highly recommend getting a good handgun such as a Glock and learning how to use it.
  • Insect repellent – Your day will be much more pleasant if you aren't covered with bug bites.
  • Knife – A fixed-blade knife with a full tang can be used for all sorts of things such as carving wood, cutting rope, making kindling, preparing food, etc.
  • Mace – If you don't want to carry a firearm, at least get some mace.
  • Map – Get a detailed, topographical map of your local area.
  • Multitool – There are many reasons a multitool could be useful.
  • Paracord – This has all sorts of uses, especially when building a shelter.
  • Pen and pencil – You might need this to take notes or leave notes for someone.
  • Runners light – Clip this to the outside of your bag. That way if you're walking by a road at night, drivers will be able to see you.
  • Shammy cloth – These are great because they can soak up lots of water and dry very quickly.
  • Signal mirror – If you're lost in the wilderness, you could use this to signal planes for help.
  • Sillcock key – If you're in an urban area and need water, this will turn on outdoor spigots that don't have a valve.
  • Sunblock – Forgetting this could be disastrous. A bad sunburn will not only cause terrible pain, it will quickly wear you out.
  • Tiny Survival Guides – These can fit in your pocket, and when you unfold them, you can read all sorts of helpful survival and first aid information. They come with a mini magnifying glass so you can read them.
  • Trash Bags – These aren't just for trash. There are many other uses. Bring at least half a dozen.
  • Whistle – With this, you can call for help or find one another if you and your family get separated in the wilderness.
  • Zip ties – These are good for building shelters or making emergency repairs.