The Bug Out Bag Myth

You might think a bug out bag will help you survive doomsday by living in the woods, but here’s why we think that’s wrong.

Bug out bag illusion

The “bug out bag” philosophy is nothing new. The idea you will have a better time “roughing” it in the woods than surviving in your home is more the stuff of Hollywood than reality.

Ask anyone who has been in the military. You have a better chance surviving at basecamp than the front lines.

While the bug out solution seems nice, you must consider you are leaving behind crucial belongings and shelter, not to mention, in almost every bug out scenario travel will be risky.

Another factor to consider is that a bug out bag by it’s design is limited. You will have a small amount of space for ammo, food, and cleaning supplies.

So while it may seem like a good option to escape and go alone in the woods, the longer the situation persists, the more vulnerable you’ll become to hunger, climate, and medical emergencies.

Except in doomsday scenarios or living in New York City, the bugging out philosophy is rarely the right solution.

A fresh take on the bug out bag

While we don’t recommend bug out bags for long term survival, a bug out bag is a great option to get you from point A to point B in a crisis.

Rather than thinking of a “bug out” bag, we like to think of a “get you where you need to be quickly” bag.

Don’t fall into the illusion that we will all magically become Davey Crockett in an emergency.

A “point A to point B” bag can be handy in situations like getting stuck in traffic or needing to get to the nearest hospital.

Keep in mind, the contents of this bag should be tailored to the specific location and climate, as the needs of someone in Minnesota during winter will be very different from someone in Southern Texas.

We recommend equipping this bag with the expectation that you’ll need to survive 7-10 days before you need to get back to a secure location.

Instead of relying solely on a bug out bag, it's important to have the mindset of being prepared no matter where you are during an emergency.