Think your bug out bag is perfect? Think again. There’s a couple things that people tend to forget.
While you may have the perfect BOB at this point, there’s some stuff that might only be needed once in a while.
You won’t be able to ‘pick something up’ when you need it. That’s what most average people think. Oh, I’ll grab it if I need it. But you’re prepared, you know that things go quick.
Recommended: Medical Training Tips: What to Know and Where to Learn It
Mosquitoes Are The Enemy
One of the most common items forgotten in any BOB is bug repellent. While this may not seem like an issue to some, it is important to have a couple of bottles or cans handy.
Even in the North, there are mosquitoes, and they carry diseases and can drive a person insane. Carrying some type of repellent in your BOB could be essential to survival, even in the most simple of times.
The repellent will prevent mosquito bites. The right repellent could also prevent other bugs from feasting on you and your loved ones.
How Do You Open Cans of Food when SHTF?
Some of you will be luckier than others in this example. You know what a P-51 is, and even carry one in your BOB.
The truth is that most people don’t have any idea what that is. You might have hunting equipment, fishing gear, MRE’s, etc. But if you don’t have a can opener (yep, that’s what a P-51 is), you’ll be outta luck.
You can use your knife to open these cans up, but a P-51 is an easier alternative. It takes up no room in your BOB and is efficient. I picked up a few of these p-51’s for cheap on Amazon.
Video about How to Use P-51 Can Opener
These can-openers take up no room, are easy to carry and work great. One of the worst situations to be in would be one where you are starving. You have an ample supply of canned meats and vegetables but cannot open them.
What Kind of Currency Should You Carry in Your BOB?
Most preppers know that ammo and similar items will be the best currency to have, they also know that they will need those items to survive. In your BOB, you should always have cash, gold and silver.
Most people will still accept some form of traditional currency. So be sure to carry some so you don’t have to give away ammo and gear.
When all else fails, you can offer a few rounds of ammo with a little bit of silver in replace of a higher amount of the things that you will need later.
Waterproof you Stuff, Man
Almost everyone knows that keeping some things dry is extremely important.
Imagine you’re out and you need to start a fire, but your matches got wet and you can’t. Or that your socks are now soaked. Simple waterproofing will protect you from both of these.
You might not need to keep everything dry, but focus on how you can waterproof more of your stuff.
Changing Clothes and Shoes
Okay, so you won’t need to change your shoes very often. The point is that shoes wear out. In the end, you will likely be stuck walking for long distances.
The soles of your shoes might wear out, or you could lose one in a muddy environment. This kind of stuff happens. You want to be prepared.
Having a good pair of shoes or boots can be a big change for you. You might have been in a rush to leave your house and put on slip-on shoes. That could be a common problem and could put you in a vulnerable situation. So consider having a pair of high-quality shoes and clothes in your BOB.
As you can see, there are a few items that are commonly over-looked while preparing your BOB. Every BOB should be customized to the individual carrying it, but some things should be kept in every BOB, no matter what your situation may be.