Building a Bug Out Bag
What you need to have in your bug out bag at all times
The collapse of society, or the end of times, whatever you want to call it, is something that people have feared for a long time. Initially those who prepared for it by stockpiling things such as food, ammunition, weapons, body armor, and other supplies, were labeled “ doomsday preppers” and seen as crazy by many other people. However with the way the world is now, the idea of being prepared for anything has become more and more popular. You see more people purchasing firearms, getting proper training- and not just your standard tip to the gun range, but they get medical training, learn how to shoot at a distance, and clear rooms. One hobby that you see becoming more popular is building a bug out bag.
What exactly is a bug out bag? What should you have in it? The Core Vision Training team has broken down the top items to put in a bug out bag to make sure that you are prepared for any situation.
What is a Bug Out Bag?
Often referred to as a “go bag”, bug out bags are some types of bags, typically backpacks that are filled with supplies to last about 3-5 days if you are experiencing some sort of natural disaster or collapse of civilization. The goal is to keep you fueled and healthy long enough until help can arrive, or order is restored. But what type of supplies should you have in your bug out bag?
Sure, as a part of your kit you should have your plate carrier and a good pair of boots to keep you protected from the elements, as well as a functional rifle and a trustworthy sidearm, but what about what goes in the bag that can actually keep you safe and in good health?
What to Keep in a Bug Out Bag
Now that we have established what a bug out bag is, let’s take a look at what exactly you should keep in it in order to survive.
Socks
Keeping your feet safe is something that is absolutely essential. You will be encountering all different types of elements, and keeping your feet safe, dry, and cool is essential. You do not want any health complications, nor do you want any type of discomfort, especially if you are traveling on foot through various terrains. That being said, keeping extra socks in your bug out bag is essential!
Ammo
If you are someone who likes to be prepared, the chances are that you will have a rifle and a sidearm. While your chest rig or holster can hold a few extra mags, it is always good to have some extra ammunition stored in your bug out bag, whether the rounds are already packed in the magazines or they are in boxes ready to be loaded into the mags.
Food and Water
Obviously you do not want to be starved or dehydrated when you are experiencing some sort of civilization downfall, so having some food and water in your go bag to keep you energized and healthy is crucial. The recommended amount to keep is enough for three days as that is the average response time for aid to come, so you can stay prepared until help arrives.
Comms
There is a good chance that if you are experiencing a large natural disaster or the collapse of a civilization, then you will not be able to use your cell phone, which would leave many people rendered useless. That being said, having a radio that can be used for communication is essential.
A radio such as the Garmin inReach Mini 2 would be ideal to keep in your bug out bag, as it allows you to stay connected globally with 2-way communication, tracking, and includes interactive SOS features (satellite subscription required). In emergencies, you can trigger an SOS to a 24/7 search and rescue center. The device pairs with Garmin wearables and handhelds for messaging and SOS activation. TracBack® routing guides you back to your start point, and you can share your location via MapShare™ or embedded coordinates. You can also use the Garmin Explore™ app on your smartphone for trip planning and offline navigation. With up to 14 days of battery life and rugged, water-resistant design, it’s built for tough conditions, and perfect for a bug out bag.
However, if an EMP were to hit and take out the electric grid, your radio would be useless. With that in mind, you are going to want to have your radio stored in a faraday bag, which blocks out any EMP. If you are looking for a good faraday bag, check out SLNT and use the code “cvt” for a discount!
Flashlight or Headlamp
Going off of the idea of not being able to use your phone, you want to have a flashlight or headlamp handy and packed in your bug out bag. Being left in the dark is absolutely going to be something that can put you in a life or death situation, so having some source of light is essential.
An awesome headlamp to keep in your bug out bag would be the Streamlight Enduro Pro headlamp, which offers a low-profile design with the reliable performance you've come to expect, all for a great price. It features three lighting modes to suit various tasks: a spot beam for focused distance lighting, a flood beam for soft area illumination, and red or green LEDs to preserve night vision. The spot beam delivers up to 200 lumens and runs for 6 hours on high, while the flood beam provides up to 135 lumens for 6 hours. With a coyote cover and green LEDs, this headlamp is designed for versatile, long-lasting use in any situation.
First Aid
You do not know what you will be up against, the elements, insects, opposition forces; and that being said you do not know what kind of injuries you can fall victim to. Having a first aid kit with proper equipment is something that should be a priority for your bug out bag. Having one that can attach right to your plate carrier is ideal, and it should contain items such as:
Bandages
Alcohol
That being said, if you are looking for a small and convenient first aid kit for your bug out bag, the Aptus First Aid Kit (AFAK) is perfect. It is designed for easy accessibility and secure retention, offering features beyond typical kits. It can be mounted via MOLLE/PALS or a belt loop and includes a 2"x3" loop field for medical identification patches. Elastic retention bands on the top and bottom hold essential items like tourniquets, shears, or gloves. The ambidextrous tab and pull handle system allows easy access, even with gloved hands in low visibility. The quad-fold insert, closed by hook and loop, prevents jams and displays the casualty card in a clear pouch. The insert can be wrapped around the casualty’s arm or leg, securing the card. The stocked AFAK includes essential items like a CAT-TQ, combat gauze, a chest seal, and more, making it a comprehensive medical kit for any situation, and perfect for a bug out bag.
Gloves
Gloves can be a good addition to a bug out bag because you do not know when you will need clean hands. Whether you are trying to grip onto something, just protect your hands from the elements, a good pair of gloves is always something to add to your gear checklist.
That being said, we would recommend equipping your bug out bag with the Mechanix Wear Original Covert Gloves. These set the standard for tactical hand protection with their versatile and ergonomic design. Made with rugged 0.8mm synthetic leather that’s touchscreen-capable, these gloves offer an ideal blend of dexterity and durability. The form-fitting TrekDry® material keeps your hands cool and comfortable, while adjustable Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR) wrist closures ensure a secure fit. Reinforced thumb and index fingers boost durability, and nylon carrier loops make storage easy. Machine washable for convenience, these gloves are perfect for military, law enforcement, shooting sports, maintenance tasks, and just the ideal candidate for your bug out bag.
Solar Charger
As stated above, depending on the situation that you are in, there is a good chance that you will be facing power outages and no electricity. That being said, having a solar charger for your phone, radio, or whatever other electronics you have with you is great.
Other Items to Consider for Your Full bug out Kit
Now the bug out bag is only part of your kit, other than that you will have other pieces of gear such as a quality SHTF rifle. This can be an AR or AK platform, with some sort of optic on it to help with maintaining your accuracy. Even equipping an LPVO is a good idea, so you can shoot from a distance, whether that is an opposing force or you are hunting to provide food for yourself and other people you are with. You can also customize a rifle with different attachments for different scenarios, such as a suppressor or a flash hider. And remember to keep a sling on your rifle at all times.
Aside from that, having quality body armor with level 3 or 4 protection is good to have, and a duty belt. You can keep a good amount of your smaller gear on your belt or body armor, such as a holster for your sidearm, a med kit, flashlight, and so on.
Training
All that being said, preparing a bug out bag is absolutely useless if you are not training with it and familiarizing yourself with how to use the different aspects of it. Tactical training is largely important, as it helps to get you used to your gear. Think about it, your firearm is going to be a foreign object to you if you are placed in a situation where you need it, but have never fired it. The same goes for gear in your bug out bag. If you do not train with it and break it in, you’ll have a hard time adjusting when you need them most, and that can be a life or death situation.
If you are looking for other training courses to get used to your gear like your boots, then check out Core Vision Training. Whether you want medical or close quarters, or even some night vision courses, Core Vision Training has it all. In order to be a well rounded individual that knows how to survive and win in multiple different environments, scenarios, and more, then these courses could be your new best friends. Core Vision also offers different fitness programs for you to choose from, so when you are out in the field and need to maneuver with all of your gear on, you won’t be out of breath too quickly, you’ll be fit and ready to go.
Building a Bug Out Bag Wrap Up
All in all, a bug out bag is something that can be beneficial for anyone, as being prepared is more than just heading to the shooting range and taking a first aid class. It is better to be prepared for anything and never have to use any of your skills or gear, than to be faced with a situation where you have no knowledge of how to handle it.
What’s in your bug out bag? Let us know. And be sure to check out Core Vision Training’s shop, Instagram, and other blogs!