TWILIGHT ZONE

20 Items For Your Preparedness List - 14 Survival Tools for Your Bug Out Bag

# There’s many survival prep items that can stored ahead of time, for your use during and after a survival, emergency, or disaster situation, or even SHTF situation. Here are 20 items or categories you should take advantage and stock up on. Also, this list is intended to be fun, and to help get you thinking outside-the-box about your personal prepping needs. Please, feel free to comment below with any other items you may think of, so that over time we can continue to make this list grow.
1.) A stapler with plenty of staples and/or paper clips to seal off small items and fastening paper such as a package of survival seeds.
2.) Paracord, fishing line, and/or string. There are many uses you can use with any string type item.
3.) Toilet Paper, and other toiletries such as feminine hygiene products, diapers (for babies) and, etc. These should be mass stored if possible.
4.) Shovels. All sizes from small garden type to those used for digging. Very important to have after a disaster.
5.) Paper to write on.
6.)Pens and Pencils, so you can write on the paper.
7.) Rubber bands and hair bands. Used to keep items organized and from flying apart.
8.) Duct Tape and any other kinds. There are many things you can use duct tape for
9.) Sewing Kits. This one should be self explanatory lol.
10.) Matches, lighters, and fire starters. Faster and easier to help start a fire.
11.) Salt. It has many uses, especially for medicinal purposes.
12.) Candles, and flashlights. Need light don’t you?
13.) Manual Can Opener. Without one of these, have fun trying to open up all that canned food.
14.) Hammers, screwdrivers, saws, axes, utility knives, scissors.
15.) 5-Gallon Gas Cans. These can be used for gas or other fuels, and water collecting, just make sure there was no gas in the can before you collect water with it.
16.) Magnifying Glass. These can be used to help start a fire.
17.) First Aid Kit. Most items such as bandages, gauze, tweezers, nail clippers, scissors, wrapping tape, etc. can be stored without rotating. Keep more first aid supplies than you think, because they can get used up very quickly (extra gauze – 4×4′s, 2×2′s for changing dressings).
18.) Newspaper. Use it for tinder when building a fire.
19.) Tarp. Tarps can be used for multiple things, such as shelter, and water collecting.
20.) Hand Crank Radio. Instead of having to waste batteries for power, just crank the radio a couple of times, and you can stay informed on any updates and whatnot, via the radio. Navigation- GPS is great, but eventually all batteries die. Have a map and compass as back up… If you can’t get newspaper, collect dryer lint. It can be condensed down to almost nothing and ignites in a heartbeat.
Along with cordage, I would recommend small gauge wire. It can be use like cordage and also is better for setting Snares. Also it could be used to make loops for storage containers and signal disc. I like the 5-gallon buckets. They can be used for all sorts of things… Knowledge may not be an actual item, but learn how to use manual tools instead of battery operated. So many people have gotten used to using electric drills/ saws and such, when there is no way to charge those items manual tools will be your only choice. Manual tools, there’s your item.

Three Things For Your Bug Out Bag

A lot of the comments concerning the individual Bug Out Bags are great. I do have one concern about most; they are talking going as light as possible on the Bug Out Bag, but then list a lot of gear. I have a lot of gear and carry more than my fair share when doing something. The rule we use is, “Mission Dictates”; which is why I really like the new MOLLE system of pouches and gear. I am military, so most of my serious gear issues deal with more of a combative survival situation, but I grew up in the woods, so hunting, fishing and camping were obvious past times. One of the first “survival myths” that needs to be addressed and eliminated, IMHO, is the equation that web gear and assault pack constitute a 3 day load out, a ruck gives you 7 days and a duffle bag gives a 14 day load. This equation, for lack of a better word, was developed on the military logistical model and incorporates resupply in the formula. If a true disaster or emergency happens; resupply may be a pipe dream. Your safe zone will be a supply point/cache, but you will not have the logistical support the military has available.
Here are 3 items I see as extremely vital to reduce weight and yet keep you prepared to meet many obstacles that you will face in a disaster. First is the E-tool (entrenching tool) or a digging tool. I wouldn’t leave home without one if possible. I prefer the Russian Spetsnaz e-tool to the American trifold version, but that is a personal preference. The Spetsnaz has a square blade and straight wooden handle which gives it better ability as a weapon if the need arises. Normally one edge is sharpened and can be used as a make shift axe. There are known cases of enemy combatants losing their head, literally, from an E-tool encounter. I carry stainless steel bowls in a butt pack on my MOLLE vest, as they are multi function and reduce weight. I can eat from a bowl, cook, and dig if need be and instead of packing 3 things to accomplish these tasks, I need only one. My E-tool is attached to my ruck, which is vehicle and/or home secured. My MOLLE vest is what most call my GHB (Get Home Bag) I suppose, but I can survive with just its contents for as long as necessary. The E-tool serves as a weapon, will help secure food by digging roots or bait for fishing, can be used as a medium usage pry bar, hatchet, machete, and serves to further personal hygiene. For those who read and follow the Bible, it was even told to carry a spade with you and bury your excrement. I will not quote verse, just give the gist.
In a survival situation this has dual purpose;
1) you keep insects and the stench down,
2) if hiding, you do not want to leave any tell all sign that someone inhabits the area. Anyone who hunts knows to watch for scat to locate the prey. I carry the military poncho(s) for my shelter, as well as weather gear. I can create a few different shelters with a poncho and by adding natural vegetation; it becomes a more acceptable inclement weather shelter. I personally carry 2 ponchos, as they are extremely light weight and very useful. A single can be used to form a good lean to, 2 make a tent, or one as a lean to and the second as a ground cloth. The versatility and combinations are only hindered by your imagination. They fit well in a “SAW mag pouch” or even a triple mag pouch for the M16 if folded or rolled tight. This will keep one with you at all times. Again, 1 item, several uses, from weather protection, shelter, bivy sack, and improvised stretcher. I am also a firm believer in the nets. I carry the IMPs nets personally, but there are several options for these. They become a hammock to sleep off the ground in a swamp or marsh, or even in snake infested areas. The nets are a superb fishing tool but can also be used to trap small animals in an emergency. For fishing with the net, you have a couple options which most are aware of, so bear with me. You can attach improvised weights and by attaching 550 cord, you have a small casting net or you can employ them across a stream or creek and “drive” the fish into the net.
If you must cross a swamp or any wetland, a hammock will save precious time and even more importantly energy than constructing a sleeping platform. This will allow you to get much needed sleep and be able to keep you and your gear dry. You can also use the net to form an improvised “bear bag”, thus keeping food stuffs out of reach of scavengers or gear in an innocuous cache which will require less time to prepare and retrieve than burying it if the need arises to stash your main ruck and move quickly but not completely abandon everything “willingly”. Remember, most people, unless threatened or trained, do not look up as much as they look to the sides, forward or down (where they may discover the disturbed earth where you dug the pit to cache your goods). Nets can also be used to improvise a backpack or carry-all. They are actually very useful in a maritime environment where the items you scavenge or food you gather is wet and will soak your normal pack. You can pre-make 550 cord loops that a carabineer can be clipped to and then attached to your vest, H-harness, or a ALICE pack frame. They can also be used for camouflage and the making of a ghillie suit. Another single object, with multiple functions, and weighs less than 1 pound. I can carry everything I need for my BOB on my MOLLE vest and by adding a small backpack, can greatly enhance my abilities and capabilities depending on the situation. My true fast exit is just my MOLLE vest and that will get me to the rest of my gear.
I also have children (4 ages 5-20), so setting up a BOB for them, weight is an even a greater consideration, without giving up the necessary gear they will need. Forget creature comforts and stick with gear that works and will produce. I suggest looking at your survival kit like a business investment and determine the ROI (Return On Investment) for anything and everything being carried. Books, except the possible pocket field manual, games and other perks need to be pre-staged at your BOL (Bug Out Location), as they are extra weight, which burns energy, which reduces the chance of survival in a drawn out situation or crisis. These are just a few things I feel are extremely important with their multiple uses and ROI. I carry more than just this, but I ensure my kids have at least this much.
I have E-tools that are about 1/3 the normal size and even my 3 year old daughter can carry it easily. They aren’t the sturdiest, but they have worked for small digging chores thus far during family outdoor excursions. I am military, US Army Reserves, and have 2 years previous experience in SAR (Search and Rescue) as a civilian working with the USAF. My gear reflects the combative arena of survival at most times because that is where my needs normally arise. Even deployed, with the military logistical support in place, OIF 02/07-05/08,
I carried pemmican and chia seeds as my survival food. Chia seeds will provide all the nutrients a body needs for a day in a tablespoonful. Some of the best warriors of guerrilla tactics, the Apache, utilized this light weight, nutritious staple for the war trail. They will also help your body retain water and be absorbed slowly thus adding to your survival chances because of dehydration. Pemmican (true Pemmican and not store bought jerky) is light weight, high in protein and will “keep” for years (some was found to be dated over 500 years old and still edible. It was stored in a rabbit stomach pouch) and is “trail food”. Trail food is what you can eat while moving easily. In the military, you are taught to eat your entrée first, then the sides and save the snacks or other foods that can be eaten while walking (M&Ms, Skittles, bread, crackers, combos, etc). This will ensure you get some food in case of an attack or other reason for having to move out suddenly and thus saving food that you can eat while marching in case you need to recoup some of the calories you have burned. The same should be thought of when packing your BOB and MOLLE. Carry what you can eat while on the move on your vest and stow a couple primary meals in your pack.
In summary, the military load bearing system is set up in a “3 day (web gear), 5-7 day (rucksack), and 14 day (duffle bag/footlocker)” mentality; which seems to be how others seem to think of their packing from previous tours of duty or old military field manuals. This system is based and geared towards a normal and steady logistical system in place. There was palpable panic at the base I was based out of in Iraq because supply lines were interrupted and all they had was a 3 day supply of MREs and was serving hot dogs for all meals in the DFAC (Dining Facility/chow hall). In a true survival situation, you have no resupply being brought in; unless you are hunting, fishing, gardening, gathering or bartering for goods or trust in FEMA to “save you”. I can live off my web gear, which the military views as a 3 day set up, for 2+ weeks (longer if need be but plan is for 2 weeks), providing I do not have a serious firefight to expend ammo (which is another topic). I figure my rucksack will keep me going for a month. My duffel/footlocker is my home or base camp position, which gives me everything I will have without bartering, hunting, fishing, growing or gathering, for the duration of my time. I am NO expert, nor a complete survivalist, but feel some things are being made more difficult than they need to be. This is just my humble opinion, but I have seen so many in the “survival/preparedness” movement use the acronym K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid), then they have a list that looks like a family camping trip to the “wilds” of an amusement park.
Regulator5 US Army Vet. I'm from the Lower Great Lakes area and spent a good deal of my youth in South Florida along the Sun Coast. My hobbies are hunting, trapping, fishing, camping, hiking, SCUBA, history, and just being with family. I also study Native American Culture and implement their culture into my plans. History has provided the tools and skills to survive an emergency, all we must do is learn from it. We have the benefit of using modern materials to make gear lighter, more durable and safer. All disaster plans you create, should include plans to rebuild after the event. We survive to exist, we rebuild to LIVE. Remember the Rules of 3; core temp- shelter, clothing, fire; water-water filter, purification tablets, stainless water bottle or canteens; food- ability to gather, prepare, dehydrated, MRE, snacks, etc. IMO, a good flashlight, headlamp with red night navigation LEDs, full tang, fixed blade knife, folding knife, multi-tool, firesteel, waterproof matches, magnifying glass/fire lens, snares (learn to use properly), rat traps (learn to use properly), 110 body grips (if know how to use properly and weight can be carried), field guide to edible plants, compass, map, hatchet, first aid kit (as extensive as your skills and knowledge allow), fishing kit, hygeine products. This is in no way an all inclusive list and each person’s abilities, skills, and location will greatly effect what needs to be carried. I will work on a better list and get it published as well. It will be a general purpose, not specific items.
Paul, Money is the biggest obstacle to many I think. My supplies have built over time. One thing alot of people do not realize is how much they already have. It may not be the newest sleeping bag, but you probably already have blankets. Add a couple heavy duty garbage bags and you actually have a relatively waterproof bivy sack that the blankets can insulate. A paring knife doesn’t come with a sheath but one can easily be fashioned from carboard and ducttape to protect your pack and they will clean fish and small game very nicely. A butcher knife can work on processing large game. There are alot of other items that can be made at home relatively easily and cheaply with just some time devoted, candles for warmth and light, small pouches from scrap blankets or other material, etc.
This was pretty helpful and just curious what do u guys think of have a gas mask tucked away? If you have one and or can get one I see valid reasons to have it. With the threat of a terrorist attack, many thugs having CS gas, etc anything you can have that will help you is a benefit. Ensure the mask fits correctly and also ensure you get filters that have not expired. Many you find in surplus stores are there for a reason. Also, look at getting the test kits and other CBRNE items/gear as well, as you can afford it. Like everything else in your kit, once the list is made, prioritize it according to your most likely threat and purchase in order to ensure you are covered for the most likely to the least likely. Great idea.
My solution for the weight issue is to have 2 identical stashes in two seperate locations buried in 4 20 liter drums. Tools are oiled, wrapped in cling film and buried as well. I am part of a group who will work together and share resources. http://guideforpreppingandsurviving.com/20-items-for-your-preparedness-list/ http://guideforpreppingandsurviving.com/three-things-for-your-bug-out-bag/


14 Simple But Essential Survival Tools for Your Bug Out Bag

Most people new to the survival and prepping community often face one of two challenges in building their first bug out bag; they either try to pack far too much equipment and end up with a bag they can’t carry, or they become so overwhelmed with the task that they don’t build one at all. Opinions differ on what belongs in a bug out bag, but ultimately, each bag is as individualized as the person carrying it because each person has different needs. There are several tools that are necessary for every bug out bag, leaving plenty of space for any individualized equipment, supplies, and medicine that you may need. The most obvious thing needed for a bug out bag is, of course, a pack. Many will recommend a heavy-duty military-style backpack, and while this thinking has merit, it also has drawbacks. In a true SHTF scenario, who do you think is going to draw more unwanted attention from two-legged predators and/or over-zealous law enforcement personnel; the guy with an ALICE pack or the guy with a colorful civilian backpack? Personally, I have both styles, but in most cases, the civilian models will be more appropriate. The key is selecting a reliable manufacturer, and you can’t go wrong with packs from Northface. I suggest selecting an average-sized pack—an extremely large pack is going to make you a target because it’s obvious that you are well-equipped. Also, the larger the pack, the more gear you’ll tend to carry—unless you are in excellent physical condition and accustomed to hiking with a heavy pack, you’ll quickly wear yourself out. Nearly everyone who talks about survival usually starts off talking about a firearm for self-defense. Look, I am 100% pro-2nd amendment and believe that almost every adult should be armed at all times, but the fact of the matter is that you’re far more likely to encounter a first aid situation than a self-defense situation. Handling that requires first aid knowledge and supplies. Even with formal first aid training, I’ve found it far easier to buy a prepackaged first aid kit; it might cost a few dollars more, but the time you save allows you to focus on other more important things than pinching pennies. There are nearly unlimited used for 550 cord (AKA—Paracord), the same cordage used to attach a parachutist to their parachute. A single cord has a tensile strength of 550 pounds (I know, who would have guessed, right?) and consists of a heavy outer sheath surrounding seven two-ply yarns. You can use this as-is for securing gear, suspending an improvised shelter, making a rifle sling, and anything else that requires strong cordage, or you can separate the individual strands to sew torn clothing and/or gear, improvise fishing line, create a snare, and anything that requires thinner cordage. 550 cord is lightweight, inexpensive, and takes up little space in your bag. An easy way to prevent hypothermia is to wrap up in a mylar blanket; it’s lightweight and has multiple uses. It keeps you warm in all but the most extreme environments, can be used to as an improvised shelter, can reflect heat and sun, can be used as a signaling device, or even to build a solar still. I recommend the ones manufactured by SOL because they are thicker than most and the backside is high-visibility orange. Your bug out bag should contain at least two, because Mylar is easily torn and melted. If you’re carrying gear for multiple people, such as small children, pack at least two per person. Even if you’re accustomed to working in the dark, a flashlight can come in very handy but a http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009GH884I/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B009GH884I&linkCode=as2&tag=htsi-20 is even more convenient because it frees your hands while providing plenty of illumination. Most models these days use ultra-bright LEDs which offer superior battery life and produce no heat. One of the biggest advantages of a headlamp over a hand-held flashlight is that the area you’re looking at is always illuminated, reducing your chances of tripping over obstacles or stepping unto holes at night. As with the Mylar blankets, if you’re carrying gear for multiple people, pack one headlamp per person. Packing an extra set or two of batteries is a good idea too. I carry a small clip-on knife every day, but sometimes you need more than a blade, such a screwdriver, can opener, or pliers, so I pack a Leatherman in my bug out bag. It’s small, lightweight, and has multiple uses—I can’t tell you how often this single tool came in handy in the field during my time in the Marine Corps. And today’s Leatherman tools are built far better than in the past, so they stand up to serious abuse and even come with a 25–year warranty. It’s one hell of a product at a great price with superior customer service—you can get knock-offs for a little cheaper but I wouldn’t risk it. Carrying water sucks; it’s heavy, takes up a lot of space, and sloshes around unless your container is completely full. That’s why I prefer the ability to filter water on the go. Products like the Seychelle Straw help me keep my pack light because I can simply filter any water I find, eliminating the need to haul it around. I’ve looked at various systems, and this is by far the best I’ve found yet. It removes 99.99% of bacteria, viruses, contaminants and pollutants found in drinking water, while most competing filters are unable to remove viruses and pollutants, such as gasoline and other hazardous chemicals. And if you really want to cover all your bases, they even offer a version that filters radiological contaminates, but that’s overkill in my opinion. Circumstances may not permit you to sit around casually sucking water from a stream, so a Nalgene bottle or two is the perfect companion to your Seychelle straw because you can collect 32–ounces (1 quart) per bottle and drink from them through your filter straw on the go. Nalgene is one of the most reliable brands of water bottles available today; they are BPA-free, impact-resistant, and can be microwaved and frozen with no damage. They’re also sized perfectly to fit the outside pockets of most civilian backpacks. I recommend always selecting the wide-mouth models because it allows you to break up the ice that forms at the neck. You can’t do this with a canteen or narrow-mouth bottle. The ability to start a fire can be the difference between life and death. I advise everyone to have multiple means to do so, but a strike fire starter is one of the best options, because it lasts nearly forever, is almost impossible to break, and works even when wet. I produced a video showing a similar product (different manufacturer) being used to ignite a fire starting gel—but it can be used just as easily to ignite any source of tinder. When you run the scraper, a knife blade, or other metal object along the ferrocerium rod, it produces a shower of hot (5,432° F) sparks that rain down on your tinder. Trapping is a great way to efficiently gather protein and calorie rich food without attracting unwanted attention or expending precious energy. All it requires is a few snares and some basic trapping knowledge. If you live in a suitable area, I also recommend supplement your trapping kit with a fishing kit. This will give you two automated means of catching food while you focus on other tasks. As with any other survival skill, this requires first-hand experience, so practice in the field before your life depends on it. But be sure to check with your local laws and regulation first. Your knife and other edged tools will inevitably become dull over time. At home it’s easy to grab another one out of the drawer, but in the field or on the move you won’t have that option, so it’s critical that you know how to properly sharpen them. Using a wet stone wet stone is far from rocket science, but it is more complex than just rubbing your blade across it a few times. Everyone should own a quality wet stone; ideally, a set of wet stones because there are varying grades of abrasiveness and you need to work your way from coarse to fine for an ideal edge. This ensures a long life for your edged tools. Also, while it may seem counter-intuitive, a sharp blade is safer than a dull one because it requires less effort to use properly. Trapping, fishing, and even foraging are valuable skills, but they take time and energy. Ripping open prepackaged food, however, takes almost no time or effort. Depending on the type of food, it’s either ready to eat immediately as in the case of MREs, or requires little more than reconstituting with water, as is the case with freeze-dried foods. Rotate your emergency food to ensure it doesn’t go out of date, and only buy what you actually enjoy eating. A common mistake people make is to buy cheap food they don’t enjoy, thinking they’ll eat it in an emergency–they won’t. Whether you’re stuck in the desolate Alaskan wilderness, a mosquito-infested Florida swamp, or your own home, with the roof recently torn off by a hurricane, something about a warm meal in your belly always makes you feel a little better. This of course requires cookware. At home, I love using my big, heavy cast iron skillets, but I’m sure as hell not hauling them around in my pack. Lightweight aluminum is ideal, preferably anodized so your food doesn’t stick to it. A nested cook set gives you multiple options depending on what you’re cooking, while not taking up any extra space than a single pot. It’s a lot easier to cook if you have a stove. I avoid the type that use compressed fuel like propane because they can easily break, and the fuel cans take up valuable space, add weight, and once they run out, your stove becomes nothing more than dead weight. They are also more expensive, especially over their lifetime. I prefer the type of stoves that use naturally available fuel, such as wood, animal dung, and even dried grass. They are lighter, reliable, compact, and rather than packing and carrying fuel, you can collect it as needed. The construction of your stove is important; avoid aluminum and instead opt for heavy-duty steel or titanium. Excellent items. I have a life straw as well as water bottles that filter the water. I also keep with mine Potable Aqua Water Treatment Tablets in the event I have to treat the water. Without water everything else is irrelevant. As for fire, I always have handy, 5 different ways to start a fire. Waterproof matches, flint, magnesium, even a magnifying glass, lighters etc. You are right, having a fire could be the difference between life and death.