No, I don't mean "battery operated boyfriend". The usual term, for those who "prep", is "bug out bags".
Why on earth would I need a bug out bag?! Nothing ever happens here.
I used to say that too.
13 years ago, we lived in South Carolina. As usual, September was warm and we were preparing to celebrate my youngest daughter's 10th birthday. A hurricane warning went out. We ignored it. We were a military family who had moved up and down the east coast. We knew about hurricanes. Rarely did they affect military housing. Everyone just stayed put. Except this time it was different. This time, for the first time, we were evacuated by order of the military.
The kids' father and I just stared at each other. We have to evacuate?! Being a Navy family that, in the past, had to move with very little notice somewhat prepared us. You try moving a 4 bedroom 3 bath house, with 5 children under 10 years of age, in three days from start to finish. Did I mention it was Thanksgiving weekend? I did it, and it's not something I ever want to repeat.
At first, when we were first notified we had to evacuate, we just froze. Evacuate? To where? What do we do? What do we bring? Then we sprang into action. DH automatically went for getting the van ready: gas, oil, tire pressure, etc. He knew the gas stations would be hit first as others did the same thing. He grabbed cash from the ATM while he was out.
After that, he found the road atlas and planned an alternate route. We knew many would put off evacuating until they absolutely had to, but others would get out as soon as possible. Only one highway went in and out of the Charleston area. If we didn't get out fast, it was going to be a nightmare.
While he was doing that, I grabbed suitcases and bags and started mentally running through our day to get a list going. I barked orders at the kids, so they knew it wasn't play time. We had to go and go now, but I didn't panic them. I planned for three days. We didn't have to worry so much about food, because we had somewhere to go, but if the roads were packed, we would definitely need something to munch on.
I grabbed a case of water (something I do for every day trip so it was habit), a pack of diapers for each child that wore them, wipes, a sippy cup per child who used one plus an extra just in case, clothing for all for 3 days, several boxes of granola bars, blankets, everyone's pillow (we always take them on trips so it was "normal"), cereal, cans of soups and Spaghettio's, plastic spoons, games, and - most importantly - my eldest daughter's inhaler and asthma/allergy medication. The bag of dog food, leash, bowls and the dog were grabbed.
I also grabbed my youngest daughter's birthday cake and presents because - by all that was holy - her birthday would get celebrated! I also grabbed candles, a lighter, knife and her paper birthday plates. We were out of the house in under an hour. For a hastily packed family "go bag", it worked.
If we had been stuck in traffic, like so many were, we would've been okay. Days later we would discover how lucky we were. The incoming highway wasn't opened for evacuation in time. People were trapped on I-26 during the hurricane. Elderly, evacuating nursing homes, were trapped in buses. If they couldn't hold it any longer, people had to use the bathroom on the side of the road in full view of all. Cars overheated. It was awful.
Another family I'd known online for years lived inland within the state outside the evacuation area. Thankfully, they opened their home to us. She even prepared a "birthday party" for my daughter including a cake and present. My daughter has always remembered that birthday as the year she got two cakes. We stayed in an apartment they had built onto their home for missionaries visiting their church. We had 40 acres to run around on. We were very, very blessed to have them to go to.
Now, while I don't have bags packed, I do keep a list of things to toss in bags if we need to evacuate. Every person's bag will be different and is seasonal dependent. One size does not fit all. Many people can throw energy bars in a bag and be fine. We can't do that unless we want to get sick. Others may do individual bags, family bags or both. I like the "both" version.
You do NOT need to buy one of those expensive BOBs from a survival store. Go to a second hand shop and find a well made bag that fits what you need. It can be a duffel bag, backpack, suitcase or whatever. Even cloth grocery bags will work. Backpacks are easier on the hands/arms if you need to walk, but use what you can afford and upgrade later. I was able to find LL Bean backpacks cheap at Goodwill. I still use my cloth grocer bags.
A long time ago, someone gave us a thermos that is heated through a car plug. At first I thought "future white elephant gift" but now I'm grateful for it. It stays in the car at all times. It can heat up water for hot chocolate, instant soups, etc.
If we have to go, two cases of water are taken out to the car immediately. Every person in the house has a sleeping bag good to 0 degrees that is put on top of the water. Pillows are put in seats. This is automatically done. We do this for any trip that will last us longer than a few hours.
At first, the kids objected to putting water in the car for each trip, but one day we hit a massive traffic jam. A major accident had occurred and the entire four lane freeway came to a standstill. The temperatures were in record highs (over 100) and the air conditioning in the van broke during the trip. My mechanic got an earful over that since it had just been repaired and, yes, he did fix it for free after I pitched a fit at him. The back of a 15 passenger without ac is awful in normal summers. Add in those temperatures, and not able to open windows, and it became bad fast. Having water in the van literally became a lifesaver.
I had to take the children out of the van. Since no one was moving, their getting hit wasn't a worry. Others were also out of their cars. My two middle daughters began complaining of headaches, and I told DH we needed to get them out of there. At one point, they became so red a trucker was putting my children, one at a time, in his air-conditioned truck to cool them down. We were pouring water over their heads, stripping little ones down to diapers, etc. DH finally went to the closest rescue worker and asked for help. We don't know if it was because of that, but shortly after traffic was directed over an area of flat grass to go in the opposite direction.
Anyhow, back to the BOB list. Everyone's list will be different. What is needed for one will not be the same for 6. A family with young children will need more items than a family with teens. As I said before, you don't need anything fancy. The goal is to survive.
I highly recommend that everyone be assigned a role in case you need to evacuate your area. Who can take care of the car and keep it up to snuff by checking tire pressure, fluids, making sure it is filled with gas, etc? Who will take charge of packing for the pets? Packing the family bag?
If you have to carry things in plastic grocery sacks, then do so but I would double them up to prevent splitting. We started off with these and paper bags. If you have spare fabric, and can sew, then make some quilted bags. A ton of yarn? Knit or crochet them. Pack now. Upgrade later. Get the basics down.
This is ours which is always changing as kids age, we think of different items or upgrade:
In the Car
Cases of Water (if we need to walk, then it is divided between cloth grocery bags and carrying is shared - we only take what we can carry without it dragging us down. It is used first.)
Sleeping bags or blankets (weather dependent, but summer nights here still get chilly)
Pillows (abandoned if we need to leave the car)
In the winter, everyone dresses in layers.
Plug in thermos
Cash
Car emergency kit which includes flares and jumper cables
Family Bag (which started off as cardboard boxes and now Sterlite containers except for the stove)
Anti-histamines (mainly my son)
Family sized first aid kit including aspirin or equivalent
pack of playing cards
Bible
Freeze-dried food/MREs/Canned items (enough for 72 hours for the entire family)
Disposable bowls, plates, utensils
Sanitary pads
Cash
Bat (not for playing)
Extra clothes, socks, shoes
Homemade hot chocolate mix
Tea bags (easier than coffee)
Natural sugar
Personal care kits which include soap, toothbrushes, comb, etc.
Camping stove with extra propane bottles
Personal wipes
Trash bags
Toilet paper
Individual Bags
Water
Epi-pens (One in my son's bag and one in mine)
Anti-histamine (son's bag and mine)
3-6 cans of food/MREs that each child can/will eat
Portable cooker
can opener
small first-aid kit
6 Snack/Granola bars or trail mix that each person can eat
Jerky (kids picked this one)
Instant ramen that can fit in the mess kit pot (for those who can eat it)
Flashlights with extra batteries
Sporks ( I asked the kids, "Spoons or forks?' They said, "Sporks.")
pocket knife and/or multi-tool
1-2 Emergency blankets (I'm not really a fan of these, because they tend to tear easily, but better to have)
Waterproof matches, lighter or fire starter
Sanitary pads (women only)
Tissues
Cash
Each person has a specific weapon that they're trained to use.
Hunting socks
Folding mess kit (can be pot and dish)
Cell phone
A garbage bag or two (can be rain coats, hold nasty clothing, etc)
Toothbrush
hand/feet warmers
What I'd like to add to each bag is a personal water filter and UV light, but it's out of my price range right now. We also have "normal" backpacks. I want to upgrade to hiking backpacks that have better lower back/hip support like this one or this one.
Remember, the more you put into the bag, the heavier it will be. Small children should not carry anything heavy, but many will insist on helping, so have a bag ready for them to carry with light items in it. Also be prepared to bring a comfort toy or blankie to soothe young ones.
Dog bag (yes,them too)
Dog food portioned into cheap disposable food containers. Can be tossed when the dogs are done eating which lightens the load OR can save the first one to use as a water container.
Leashes
disposable dish for water
any medication necessary for survival
Start with a 12 hour bag using plastic grocery sacks (they have handles). A long strong branch can be used to carry the bags over your shoulders. Upgrade as you need or want. You will have to decide whether to upgrade the bag first or the food supply. The more food you have, the more bags you have to carry, so I recommend upgrading the bags to a good roomy backpack designed for hiking. They will have a support for your back across the bottom which will help your back.
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