Introduction: Creating a Portable Bug Out/Survival Tub 1.0 With Items Around Your Home

Many people have Bug Out Bags that are heavy, and impractical to the every day life style, luging these bags to work and in transit is not and option. This tutorial emphasizes creating a small low profile box that is not to chunky to stuff into the bottom of your every day carry bag, we will be creating a small but useful survival box out of a cheap ($8.00 CND) water tight ammunition box with house hold and every day hunting/camping materials. Although this box does not have many items, it is a better that nothing and creates the foundation for basic survival. This will include navigation, hunting, chopping fire/shelter wood, sharpening, currency (silver ounces), warmth, signalling, electricity (solar), protection and so fourth. This however does not factor in food and water as you should carry these things in your nap sack.


Disclaimer: This project will not guarantee your survival but could help you in a survival situation if used properly. Some of these items may be illegal (ie large fixed blades) in your area so always follow your areas restricted and dangerous items law.

Step 1: Choosing a Box

I have chosen a water tight ammunition box because of its versatility, ruggedness and the concept that I hope my idea will create. Go to your local Walmart or Target and look for these boxes in the fishing section. They should be no more than $15. Choose a box that is right for your needs.

Step 2: Gathering Supplies

Gathering supplies can be hard, depending on what you have to work with. I have an abundance of outdoor equipment in my house so finding supplies was not an issue. You may have to purchase supplies if you have non or make do with what you have and go "DIY" however knives and silver out of the factor, my total expense for these items was less then $50. Most people in my block have camping items so ask your neighbours if they have any of the items in this intructable that you could have.

Step 3: Knives and Choosing a Knife

Knives are probably the most important survival tool due to their multiple critical purposes such as: Fire starting (with flint and magnesium), wood chopping, game processing (and hunting some times), and many other creative uses, making it the most important tool of any survival kit. I like to have at least 2 blades in any survival kit and for this kit, i have chosen a kabar bull dosier with au 8 steel and a kydex molded sheath as my primary knife with a browning black label knife and cold steel neck knife as my secondary choices. These knives are reasonable quality and reliable, however when choosing a knife, you don't need any thing  extravagant, a simple fixed stainless steel blade will do. These knives costed me more than $150 but a simple blade can cost as little as $25.

Step 4: Hunting

Hunting materials can be as complex as guns, and traps, but for this project, a simple $5 sling shot will to the trick. I choose a sling shot because it is not hard to find stones to use as ammunition. I also have a 200 yard spool of 50 pound fishing line with a tackle box with hooks, lures, and bobers. With a stick, i could create a make shift rod.

Step 5: Fire

Although a firesteel would be ideal, I could only spare a tin of matches, however fire is vital and you should probably have more than what i have, i also have fire starting blocks meant for camping but good for survival, these blocks can be broken into chunks to conserve.

Step 6: Currency for Barder

I have cash, a debit card and limited edition minted silver ounces in this box in total about $100 cash, and the coins are worth $400 since they are limited mintage. I have a debit card linked to my bank account as well in case there is a debit machine in the wild :D. Bargaining with items like these can save you in an emergency and while i cant teach you how to barder i can say this "dont let these items go easily!" make sure there is some thing good in the deal for you to like a tent or more supplies.

Step 7: Medical

This matter is important but hard to add to a small box. non the less, i have added a few rolls of medical tape, band aids, gause, and some krazy glue for holding wounds together. Add what ever you feel necessary to your tub.

Step 8: Other

These last steps will brush on odd items that i have added.

Step 9: Rope

I have wraped rope around my box, this not only adds external space for knife and container mounts.

Step 10: Charging

I have a small usb 5 watt solar charger that could charge a satelite phone, or in my case, an iphone.

Step 11: Light

I have a small, but humble flash light that runs off 2 AAA batteries, i also have a crank light.

Step 12: The Rest

I have a compass, watch, handheld radios, a knife sharpener, some batteries and reflectors, a whistle, and finally, an exacto knife.

Step 13: Organizing

Every one has their own preference with this, but keep in mind that you must fit all of these items in your tub, if something doesn't fit, you must prioritize. And please, stay safe! Thank you for reading this tutorial.