Spend enough time wandering the web looking up topics regarding disaster or emergency preparedness, and eventually you’ll run into terms like “bug out,” “bugging out,” or “bug out bag.” To the uninitiated, the concept of bugging out, or building a bug-out bag might be a little overwhelming, since these terms can mean many different things to different people. Although some people perceive bugging out as only necessary for an end-of-the-world apocalyptic situation, this is not the case — a well-stocked bug-out bag is a practical tool that can help you and your family through a variety of real situations. So, we've created a bug-out bag list of the most essential gear you'll need for a wide range of emergencies.
But before we dive into some of the nuances, let’s explore what is meant by bugging out.
What Does “Bug Out” Mean?
Imagine a devastating natural disaster is on its way to your home, and evacuation orders have been issued. Or perhaps your city is being rocked by waves of civil unrest, and you fear for your safety. Either way, it seems like the security of four walls and a roof is not going to last. In the chaotic times we live in, it probably doesn’t take much of an imagination to picture this happening to you and your family or loved ones. For many in this situation, leaving as quickly as possible, or bugging out, is the best solution to avoid impending catastrophe.
There are countless situations in which evacuating to a safer location may be necessary. Some examples of situations where bug-out plans might be viable are natural disasters, power outages, escape from violence, self-rescue, civil unrest, and even war.
Bug out is simply the informal term used by people who develop an evacuation plan for when things get dicey, and safety is no longer guaranteed.
Some examples of bug-out plans you can see in your everyday life can be found in fire evacuation routes posted on the back of apartment or hotel doors, or the tsunami evacuation signs along roads leading to higher elevations. For most commercial and government organizations, hav ing a plan