PrepMedic’s Bug Out Bag

The “bug out bag” or “go bag” is a pack designed to come with you in a moments notice if you are displaced from your home. This is not an apocalypse kit, it is simply meant to sustain us for 72 hours if my family and I do not have access to regular amenities (shelter, food, water, heat etc….

[PrepMedic]

Let's talk about fantasies in preparedness and some of the misconceptions with a bag like this. "go bags" (the non-guntuber version of a bug out bag) is an important concept when it comes to preparedness. A majority of this bag was informed directly from FEMA's preparedness website Ready.gov. Thecontents in this bag that are not overtly recommended by them are based on my own experience, having responded to a fair number of disasters in my 10+ years of public safety and holding a BS in homeland security and emergency management. It's true, in most instances you will simply shelter in-place and when you are forced to evacuate there is a good chance that you can stay in a hotel or with a host family until the disaster can be mitigated. That being said, there are hundreds of examples of local infrastructure becoming overwhelmed in disaster events forcing people to live outside or in crude camping conditions. Katrina saw thousands of people in the football stadium for weeks. I have personally seen families forced to leave their homes stranded outside during floods for 24+ hours before rescue got to them. I have also seen evacuation routes become clogged with traffic during forest fires, forcing families to walk and hike long distances to safety. You might only use the blanket out of a kit like this or maybe just the money but having supplies on hand that you don't need to hurriedly throw together will help expedite your departure from a dangerous situation. "just go to a hotel" is a comment made by those who have not experienced the breakdown of infrastructure during a local or even regional disaster.

[brianrichardson]

The real human compassion in packing a stuffed animal in a disaster bag is so refreshing! I'm adding one to my disaster helper kit ♥

[daniellebrown]

Hi Sam! My son Bodie has watched your channel since he was 6. He’s 11 now and still just as obsessed with it! I’m an ICU nurse and single mom and he’s had to tag along with me enough to work related things that he’s always had a fascination for all things medical! He’s watched you so much that he could walk a new medic through an intubation thanks to your channel ha ha! He asked last week for a shout out but someone commented that he was a bot, so he was pretty bummed when he saw their comment and didn’t get one, possibly because of it. Any chance you would be willing to give him one in your next video? It would seriously make his year! Thanks so much, Dani

[brucewarren]

Excellent presentation. The things I learned:
1. One can't be prepared for everything and if one tries, one will not have what one need.
2. I'll probably never need a BOB.
3. Don't put stuff you need often in a BOB, get a spare, but don't worry about having the best quality (See #2.)

[Rossski]

Sam, great video. I'm not sure why so many people concern themselves with other people's preparedness, ignore the haters. I've seen people pack far more ridiculous items in their "bug out bag". Literally your entire education and life experiences revolve around public safety and emergency management so you know better than anyone that shit happens. As the family protectors, it is in our nature to ready ourselves for whatever life throws at us.

[Narbe_Torben]

I would also add hygiene items for daily needs. If you end up in an emergency shelter, such as a school or sports hall, you'll be very happy to not only be able to shower but also to have shampoo with you. Your wife will be very grateful for feminine hygiene products, and earplugs for snorers can be a lifesaver. And, from personal experience: dry socks and underwear. They take up almost no space, but when you're dirty and wet, being able to change into at least fresh, dry underwear (keyword: shower in an emergency shelter) is a game-changer.

[noescapefromreality]

Great video as always Sam. Its good to see more people getting around preparedness, because it is important. Making it more accessible should be a priority goal so people can deal with natural disasters and emergencies in retrospect which means less damage, less injuries, less death.

[Huk]

Utensils, small rechargeable camp light, & mylar blankets are the only suggestions. Overall, thank you for a great example of what a practical bag should look like. Your organization is superb. Also, I appreciate you thinking of the needs of your family in the bag’s contents. Feels like that is often overlooked.

[ReeseMacalma]

A 20-minute PrepMedic video is just what I needed for this afternoon. Thanks Sam!

[redbeard-kzvo]

Man this video was a breath if fresh air I have a wife and young child and everyone in my group is single and no children we discuss/argue about gear all the time I have to constantly remind them about my situation as it's very different from them. They carry so much ammo and weapons and I tell them my kid is so young I'm going to be carrying him for most of our walking. I love the toy I did the same thing gotta make sure the kids feel some sort of home comfort on the road

[DhrJay]

Nice bag! Don't forget your whistle and compass. Weighs next to nothing, but it is very handy.

[deceptionsdemise]

I appreciate your explanation/reasons why you have this bag set up the way you do. This one is more relatable to my situation and I'll definitely consider setting mine up like this.

[erick.rodrigues]

Great bugout bag! I'd just throw in there a copy - printed and on a flashdrive - of your documents. Personal documents as well as of your properties. Specially your kid's. You need to be able to prove that, during an emergency, that kid you are carrying is yours.
And I'd also include at least some spair pair of socks and underwear. :)

[roncochran]

Well thought out bag. Glad to see you holstered your handgun. Many people wouldn’t have the foresight to bring it. It reduces liability for unintended discharges by covering the trigger, and provides a safe way to carry the gun. The elephant is a great idea, why compound a negative scenario with a child in distress, when this would give them comfort.

[bunyipdan]

IMHO I would make a couple of minor changes epipen medication is storage temp sensitive so maybe store the epipens in a high vis neoprene pouch/sleeve, maybe some insect repellent, sourcing water in urban areas can be very helpful to carry a silcock tap key, and carrying a wall socket fast charging block and or battery bank for phone and other electrical equipment, a second flashlight would also be advised especially if you are supporting a family. A couple of neck buffs can be very versatile (especially if you or fam are trying to catch a quick nap when there is a little too much light around).
A USB with electronic copies of birth certificate, insurance details, other important information that can be lost in a natural disaster like photo album, extended music/movie play list

[scottpowers]

Two items in mine that you might consider. First is blow up camp pillow (I can't sleep without one). The other is a usb stick with some e books and an OTG adapter so that I have something to read, plus some reference material.

[dashcammer]

I keep a similar backpack in my SUV, under the cargo cover, right next to a small 10BC fire extinguisher and a sleeping bag and bivvy bag. Backpack has a variety of supplies for use as needed. Electrolyte water. Shelf-stable MRE-type chow that I eat and replace annually. Trauma kit. Poncho. Bic lighters. Multitool. Space blanket. Eyepro. Earplugs. Sunglasses. Pair of GMRS walkie talkies. Spare batteries for everything in the bag. Flashlight. Work gloves. Watch cap. Sun hat. Balaclava. Lightsticks. DEET. Charmin roll in a ziplock bag. I could go on, but you get the idea. More clothing if the season and location might call for it. E-tool. Hatchet. Folding tree saw. Cheap basic tool kit. etc etc

[StonesHandcraft]

it’s nice, if possible, to have friends/family in various locations. Their homes can be bug out destinations for you, and your home can be a bug out destination for them. If it turns into an INCH scenario, you or they are not starting a new life just out of a pack.

[kentmulter]

Bic lighters can be emptied during storage if something in the bag pushes on the button that releases the gas. A few companies make caps that fit over the top of the lighter to prevent this. Some people put a rubber band or zip tie under the button. Or you can just put the lighters in small containers (pill bottles?) that will protect them without taking up much extra space.

[TexCen]

While this isn't "medic centric, " I really appreciate the POV from a medical necessity POV + a parent. I built a pack for my family thinking I new a thing or two from time in the field but it may not surprise you to learn that SERE doesn't teach you the value of Bluey vids on an old low battery usage phone.