Bug Out Bag

[shadowrider]

Ok, it's go time. There is a mandatory evacuation and you have no time to spare. You need to grab the necessities and get on the road now. 

Here we want to share knowledge and methods to keep you safe in an emergency situation by answering the following questions and many more.

• Do I need a bug out bag ? 
• What should I have in it ?
• Where should I keep it ?
• What items sound practical but I don't really need in my emergency kit ?

I'm only going to add 1 piece of advice or rule my dad gave us growing up for now and I'll turn it over to someone else with more professional knowledge on the subject. @Aikko

 

Never park your vehicle with less than a quarter tank of fuel (or charge if electric).  In an emergency gas/charging stations will either be overrun with people or out of service due to whatever is happening. You don't have time to waste looking for fuel, keep it fueled up.

 

[SweetLu]

My dad always said the same & i still never let it get below a quarter tank. 

Ladies have your purse ready (if you're like me, you tend to have half your life in there 😁).

Medications (including OTC), if they have to be refrigerated, ice packs; first aid kit; chargers jik you land where you can use them; soo much... But i'll pass for now. Lol 

[Aikko]

Yayy! Thank you for creating this section @shadowrider! In case you haven’t noticed by now, I am a nerd to the extreme and I hyperfixate on what interests me. Luckily enough for me, I am finally working in a field I absolutely love and I am happy to share my experiences and tips with you all! (Please also let me know if you would like me to break this out topically. I have further resource links and information for hazard specific plans like hurricanes in NOLA and tornados in OK as well as Financial Recovery resources and stuff…I also don’t want to inundate the site, so please let me know if it’s too much lol In case you can’t tell, I love being able to help when I can.) Okay, I think this is a good start.

Obviously, no one wants a disaster to occur, but it is a fact of life that they do. Both natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornados and floods, and man-made ones such as acts of terror and violence. One of my responsibilities in my professional life is making sure that my agency is prepared as best as we can be in the event that one of these scenarios takes place. I am happy to be able to share some resources that you will *hopefully* never need, but have vital information in regard to how you and your family can take steps now to be prepared in the event that one does occur. A little professional qualifications on my end (not to brag, but assure you I’m not pulling these resources from thin air lol): Im a certified emergency practitioner and work for a FEMA certified partner agency that deploys to disasters when they occur and plans for them when they’re not happening.

Below are some websites and PDFs related to all things Emergency, Disaster, Evacuation, Supplies, etc.

Emergency Supply List- a printable pdf of things you should keep in an emergency kit

https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2021-02/ready_checklist.pdf

*Aikko’s note: resist the urge to overpack- a bug out bag or emergency kit is just that! BUG OUT AND GO! They should not weigh more than you can comfortably carry for an extended period of time. It is designed to get you TO somewhere safely quickly. Not last you thru the zombie apocalypse! 

Build a Kit- information on how to pack, where to store and what to keep in an emergency kit

Build A Kit | Ready.gov

Low and No Cost- resources for low and no-cost items to keep in your kit/actions to take

Low and No Cost Preparedness | Ready.gov

Make a Plan- information on how to begin drafting an emergency evacuation/emergency family plan

Make A Plan | Ready.gov

Prepare Your Pets- we all have fur babies we can’t leave behind-this will help prepare them, too

Prepare Your Pets for Disasters (ready.gov)

Disaster Preparedness for Caregivers- if you are caring for a loved one with a disability, mobility challenge, or even small children (yes, sometimes even littles!) this is a comprehensive guide with info and checklists on how to safely prepare yourself and your charge

Caregivers | Ready.gov

FEMA Disaster Preparedness Guide for Caregivers (ready.gov)

Evacuate- have you thought about what you’re going to do, where to go, who to call?

Evacuation | Ready.gov

Edited May 4, 2024 by Aikko
Sorry, updating for clarity and context as time permits. Just wanted some initial thoughts down.

[SweetLu]

Those are great links and resources!! If i can add, just having had  fun with tornadoes, if your fur baby isn't chipped? Do it please! So many pets that I'm sure are loved and missed are in shelters and foster homes right now (sometimes out of the community that was damaged) because the owners can't be located.

[Aikko]

Things specific to a geographic location you may need to pack when evacuating (in addition to general supplies):

COLD CLIMATES:
hat, gloves, socks, thicker clothing, hand warmers, matches or fire starter of some kind

HOT CLIMATES:
extra water, lightweight clothing, packets of hydration solution (Gatorade/electrolyte powder)

Keep it light! The goal is to get you somewhere, not sustain you.