LED MagLites are almost unbelievably rugged and reliable and on fresh batteries run for a long time.

A firearm with cleaning tools and ammunition will always be on my list, as will be rain gear, a lightweight pot, a multi tool, and a good belt knife with sharpener (among other things already mentioned)

I would have to pick-up and go in a more remote setting and my gear needs to reflect that. Bugging out still remains an absolute last resort for me though. Most disaster scenarios will have me trying to get to work to deploy with my unit (worst case) or just getting a hotel quickly as I need to temporarily leave my house (fires, floods etc)

I have more of a bug out plan than a dedicated bug out bag these days. That’s largely due to where I live. No earthquakes or tsunamis round these parts.

My “screw around in the woods”/hunting/hiking/kayaking/camping gear is within easy reach and well maintained. It wouldn’t take me long to put something together if I had to.

An alternative method:
1) start with what you would pack in an overnight bag for a weekend away
2) and anything unique to you; meds, tools, (think glasses) ( also your pets)
3) add food & other consumables (batteries,TP & water)
4) seasonably and region appropriate clothing
5) Paperwork (usually contained in your wallet) plus scrips, ids etc.**
6) Electronics (tablet, radio, etc)
7) comfort items

**include paper copies of things like phone numbers,etc

That is one of the things I'm working on, making my "comfort item" as small and lightweight as possible.

I have since worked on reducing the weight and thickness; at the last time I weighed my life's story in the form of two paper folders, it was 11 5/8" x 9 1/2" x 3/8" and weighs 15 1/2 oz.

Jeanette Isabelle

Yes, comfort items - (we call it snivel kit in the Army)

If I ever do leave my house in an emergency thinking I will never return I will damn well be bringing a few bottles of my top shelf scotch. Lol. I don’t care what it weighs and what I have to leave behind. That which I can’t carry will thus be consumed before I set forth. As a result I may only make it to the end of my driveway after the apocalypse hits.

I don't drink. Therefore, I can't make a determination, for or against, on the practicality of consuming scotch before bugging out.

I will, however, attempt to convey the importance of going beyond your driveway when bugging out.

Jeanette Isabelle

WHAT ON EARTH!!!

You’re probably right about the whole driveway thing though. I prep and plan, same as most of you but if the ballon ever does go up I’ll likely end up running down the street in my underwear with a backpack full of scotch and a fire steel waiving a glow stick around over my head singing something by CCR as it Will most likely occur whilst I’m under the influence.

Meh....

I'm one-quarter French and yet I don't drink wine.

Jeanette Isabelle

I’m trying to imagine what would happen if I consumed, let’s say two bottles of liquor that we couldn’t find room for in a “we’re never coming home” scenario. Let’s just say that if the apocalypse held off until I regained consciousness, I’d be devoutly hoping that it would come shortly thereafter.

Now I know this is just light hearted internet repartee, but I do have to protest. If you are bugging out,engaged in any kink of emergency outdoors, or operating beyond the end of your driveway in an outdoors environment, leave the booze alone....

I have hauled out way too many seriously injured, as well as dead, individuals doing SAR that I personally stopped drinking entirely for several years (I now consume about 2 oz of wine at dinnertime on occasion).

It's way too easy to get into outdoors trouble with booze in the outdoors. Alcohol was at least a contributing factor in the majority of the operations we performed over several years.

On the other hand, a high proof whiskey, or Everclear, makes an acceptable stove fuel or fire accelerant.