Brooklyn “Bug Out” Bag Essentials For Emergencies

We usually try to keep our blogs positive but being prepared for an emergency is an important part of home ownership that we should not overlook. From hurricanes to earthquakes to fires and beyond, given the extent of natural and man-made disasters highlighted in the news these days, now might be the ideal time to follow the scout motto Always Be Prepared.

Everyone in your family should have a bug out bag (BOB) ready in the event of an emergency. Also known as a disaster pack, survival satchel, battle box, 72-hour kit, GOOD (Get Out of Dodge) bag, grab bag, go bag, emergency preparedness kit, and INCH (I’m Never Coming Home) bag; this will help you survive in the wilds of Brooklyn for up to 72+ hours. Below is an array of essentials to gather:

1. BAG – You will need a lightweight, durable and weather-resilient bag

• Condor 3 Day Assault Pack ($85)
• 5.11 Tactical Rush 12 Backpack ($99)
• VooDoo Tactical Mojo Load-Out Bag with Backpack Straps ($104)
• Maxpedition Vulture II Backpack ($130)
• 5.11 Tactical Rush 72 Backpack ($170)
• T.H.E. Pack, Tactical ($148)
• Osprey Packs Atmos 65 ($260)

2. HEAT – Cold weather and exposure to the elements can harm you sooner than lack of food or water

• Five Flags Windproof Torch Lighter ($4)
• UCO Stormproof Matches ($8)
• Zippo Hand Warmer ($13)
• Überleben Ferro Rod Fire Starter ($16)
• Ultimate Survival Technologies BlastMatch Fire Starter ($16)
• Grabber All Weather Emergency Blanket ($18)
• TETON Sports TrailHead Ultralight Sleeping Bag ($45)

3. FOOD – Bring along lightweight, non-perishable food with a long shelf life

• P-38 + P-51 Travel Can Openers ($4)
• Justin’s Peanut Butter Honey Squeeze Packs ($5)
• Sterno Single Burner Folding Stove ($10)
• Food Labs 3600 Calorie Food Bar S.O.S. Rations ($10)
• Light My Fire Titanium Spork ($14)
• Trail Mix Snack Packs ($6)
• Jyoti Organic Garbanzo Bean Pouches ($14)
• Light My Fire 8-Piece BPA-Free Meal Kit ($28)
• Peanut Butter Macrobars ($40)
• Jack Links Beef Jerky ($15)
• Epic All Natural Bison and Bacon Bars ($22)
• Wild Red Pouched Salmon ($35)
• Thunderbird Bars Variety Pack ($40)
• Clif Bar Energy Bars ($20)
• Vargo Titanium TI-Boiler Camp Pots ($70)
• Mountain House Classic Assortment Bucket ($70)
• Pet food
• Infant formula

4. HYDRATION – The average person can only last up to three days without water. Plan on one gallon per person per day for drinking and sanitation

• Klean Kanteen ($32)
• LifeStraw ($20)
• Sawyer Mini Water Filtration System ($17)
• Survivor Filter ($40)
• Lifestraw Go Water Filter Bottle ($36)
• Steripen Adventurer Opti UV Water Purifier ($73)
• Platypus GravityWorks  2.0L Water Filter System ($110)
• Katadyn Pocket Water Filter ($245)

5. SHELTER

• Emergency Survival Mylar Thermal Reflective Tube Tent for 2 ($8)
• Sportsman Emergency Tent and Sleeping Bag Kit ($10)
• AMK Sol 2-Person Emergency Bivvy ($19)
• Sunba Pop-Up Tent ($23)
• Eureka Spitfire 3-Season, 1-Person Tent ($140)

6. HEALTH/HYGIENE/FIRST AID

• Repel Max Insect Repellant ($8)
• Purell Naturals Advanced Hand Sanitizer ($16)
• Cottonelle Fresh Care Flushable Moist Wipes ($12)
• Campsuds Nalgene ($7)
• Dr. Fresh Toothbrush On the Go Travel Kit, 4-pack ($19)
• 3M Particulate Respirator, 10-Pack ($20)
• Amston Dust Mask N99, 10-Pack ($19)
• Adventure Medical First Aid Kit – UltraLight & Watertight ($26)
• RZ Mask With 5 Lab Tested Filters ($35)
• Medication
• Glasses or contact lens solution
• Infant diapers, wipes, diaper cream
• Feminine supplies

7. CLOTHING – Layers adaptable to weather conditions

• Tru-Spec Military Boonie Hat ($10+)
• Smartwool PhD Outdoor Socks ($14+)
• Rain Poncho JTENG Waterproof Ripstop Hooded US PVC Raincoat ($22)
• Mechanix Covert Tactical Gloves ($25)
• Smartwool Merino 250 Balaclava ($40)
• Patagonia Capilene Thermal Weight Zip-Neck Hoody ($80)
• KEEN Women’s Targhee II Waterproof Hiking Boot ($105+)
• KEEN Men’s Targhee II Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot ($111+)

8. LIGHT – You will want to maintain a source of long-lasting light

• Coleman Glow Sticks ($22)
• Five Flags Windproof Torch Lighter ($4)
• J5 Hyper V Tactical Flashlight ($20)
• Ciata Two Head Emergency Light With Battery Backup ($20)
• Red Cross Blackout Buddy Emergency Light ($12)
• Luci Solar Chargeable Lantern ($18)
• Petzl Tikka R+ Headlamp ($30)
• Fenix HP25 Headlamp ($80)
• SureFire Flashlight ($143)

9. COMMUNICATION

• Storm All Weather Safety Whistle ($7)
• Emergency Radio with Weather Alert and Smart Phone Charger ($36)
• ETON American Red Cross FRX3 Hand Crank Emergency Radio ($40)
• EnerPlex Kickr II Portable Solar Charger ($43)

10. TECH/TOOLS/GEAR

• All-Purpose Duck Brand Duct Tape ($5)
• Tough-Grid 750lb Paracord ($25)
• Pepper Spray ($10)
• Duracell ProCell Alkaline Batteries ($11)
• Petzl Attache 3D Screw-Lock Carabiner ($16)
• Fiskars X7 Hatchet ($25)
• Cammenga 3H Tritium Military Compass ($70)
• Garmin eTrex 10 GPS Tracker ($80)
• Leatherman Charge Multi-Tool TTI ($170)
• Vanguard Endeavor Binoculars ($230)

11. MONEY/PAPERWORK

• Cash and coins in different denominations
• Important documents on a flash drive in a watertight container (keep originals in a safety deposit box):
  • Passports
  • Birth certificates
  • Social security cards
  • Homeowner’s insurance policy
  • Flood insurance policy
  • Deed or stock certificate to your home
  • Mortgage paperwork
  • Auto and motorcycle titles/insurance cards
  • Bank/retirement account statements
  • Tax returns/W2s
  • Medical records
• Local maps and a plan where you would go:
  • In the immediate area
  • 20 minutes away
  • 1 hour away
  • 3 hours away
  • Out of state/far away