What's in Your Bug Out Bag & What Would Make it Better?

Good thread, I clearly need to work on mine.

Martin Ent Inc wrote: We build BOT's
Bug Out Trailers, you put all the stuff needed for extended survival and preparedness, and you leave it in it, compartmentalized, high clearence and can add gun vaults etc.
So we have BOT's and a small BOB with personl crap to throw in.
No need to panic and runa around looking for stuff just grab your memories you want your wallet and go...

MEI, I was sharing this with the family who is here and my mom. Such a good idea and since this probably won't be our last fire, a very good way to be prepared.

I asked my mom about she would have in her go bag, since hers is more traditional. She has containers stored in the closet that have all her essentials. Stuff she doesn't touch so that it is always ready and accessible. She said her meds would be most important. The last bug out she had most of them but missed a couple and it was a major nuisance to have to get them refilled when the doc wasn't readily available.

otisptoadwater, I prefer a magnesium bar as you don't have to worry about how many matches you have or their getting wet, etc. but I figured most wouldn't have it available right now. A knife is so versatile and has so many uses. Thanks for pointing it out.

Ok this doesn't go in your bug out bag but while we are waiting to be evacuated, it is a good idea to take a walk around the outside of your home and do some clean up/wildfire mitigation. Not suggesting you drop a bunch of big trees at the moment, but checking the ladder fuels up to 10 feet on the trees, needles out of the gutter, grass/weeds chopped back, wood moved away from the home, full tank of gas, vehicles in garage or parked but facing out to be ready to go. A ladder, shovel, generator and hose if you have one, out and available for the firefighters.

In the initial stage when the fire is out of control, sparks from crowning can get to a mitigated home but having it mitigated ups the odds that the captain or the structure protection person in charge chooses your home to protect when there are many that need protection. Hard decisions are made for the protection of the firefighters.

otisptoadwater wrote: My heart goes out to everyone who has been displaced by the fire and those who are in danger of being displaced. Nothing can replace those who have died and the property that has been damaged or lost in this tragedy but there are things we can do to prepare for the worst.

Everyone probably has a bag or two packed and at the ready just in case an evacuation happens. There are obvious standard goods that you would want to pack:

Food
Water
Shelter
Clothes
Flashlights (more than one)
Battery powered radio
Extra batteries
Vital documents
Backups of your data from your PC(s)

What would you add to the list? I think a few nice additions/replacements would be:

Solar powered battery charger and rechargeable batteries
Power inverter with cigarette lighter adapter
Multi-fuel camp stove
Coffee pot & cups (don't forget to grab the coffee of the way out the door!)
Prepaid debit cards
Prepaid cell phone with important phone numbers programed into memory

Oh brother...I have been alive 50 years and I have yet to ever have to "Bug-Out"...

Thanks Mr community service nit wit..I just got done watching the 50th lil news story telling me what to pack in an evacuation.. And have these people that bring thier families to a highschool gym to live ever heard of a hotel? When we got evacuated 10 years ago or so I stayed in the house but I sent the family to that hotel by the El Rancho in Evergreen..Got a great fire evacuation rate..If I remember correctly it was $30 for a $80 room...

My bug out bag:

My wallet
My golf clubs
Cell phone to make flight and hotel reservations

Hey VL you are just like the grasshopper that set on his A and then expected everyone else to help him,,, OH forgot you are a OWS everyone owes you.

Martin Ent Inc wrote: Hey VL you are just like the grasshopper that set on his A and then expected everyone else to help him,,, OH forgot you are a OWS everyone owes you.

I have full replacment insurance- I pay for it, and if upper burland starts burning i'll be buggin out @ the Hot Pink Suite at the Palms w/lil precious..

But ya gotta wait on da gubment to pay ya. These folks are able to take care of themselves for several days/weeks until maybe, if they get paid. Lil' P will leave your A for someone who has a little bit of supplies, comforts over waiting months for a claim.

Martin Ent Inc wrote: But ya gotta wait on da gubment to pay ya. These folks are able to take care of themselves for several days/weeks until maybe, if they get paid. Lil' P will leave your A for someone who has a little bit of supplies, comforts over waiting months for a claim.

I just can't see her with someone like that...She knows i'll get her food even if I have to kill some preppers to get it..

She knows that

rofllol rofllol rofllol rofllol rofllol

To bad there are lot of comedians better on the strip or you could be an opening act.