A Comprehensive Bail Out Bag

Edit: I've uploaded this bag to YouTube!  Feel free to check out my channel at: http://www.youtube.com/user/BudgetBugout

If Altoids Survival Tins are compact, yet largely often inadequate and bug-out bags are cumbersome and usually out of reach... What is the answer? Enter: the "bail out bag".

Bail out bags are the perfect compromise between a mini survival kit and a large bug out bag. In fact, you may surprise yourself how easy it is to meet your survival needs without the need of a giant bag.

To clarify, I do keep a comprehensive Altoids survival kit on me at all times [see my other instructable] and I also keep a 60 liter Osprey Aether backpack in the back of my vehicle full of SHTF gear as my 72 hour get home bag.  But if I'm suddenly thrown into a survival situation - such as a drunk driver knocking me off of a bridge in the middle of nowhere - then I only have one short window to reach for survival gear before the car fills with water. Also, if I carpool with a friend on a roadrip I can bring this bag with me or if I'm in a dual survival situation I can give this bag to the other person and I can carry my 72 hour bag. I can list off other random uses, but I think you get the point.  :)

First up: The bag

Step 1: The Bag O' Bailing

All of the items included in this kit easily fits into this SealLine 20 liter waterproof bag [purchased at REI].  In an emergency, I can easily reach this bag on the floorboard in the backseat of my SUV. Also, because it is waterproof and due to the air inside of it, this bag floats!

Next to wear I keep my bail out bag in the backseat I also have waterproof combat boots [with a hiking sock lining the inside of each] and running along the bottom of the entire floorboard I have an instant shelter I picked up at SAM's called Super Brella. These items I've just mentioned is if I have a couple extra minutes of time and will most likely be used with my 72 hour bag. The closer you can make survival like camping the better.  :)

Another fun fact, I keep a window breaker/seatbelt cutter tool in my car's overhead compartment [sunglasses holder] to help me escape from my vehicle in an emergency.

Next up: The contents

Step 2: Contents

In the main image I have laid out the contents of my bail out bag.  The other pictures provide close ups of the contents.

I've hyperlinked some of the more specific items.  Also, some of the items listed are inside of the Ka Bar survival kit which I go into more detail on the next page [or click Ka Bar survival kit image].  My philosophy of use of how I plan on carrying this kit in a survival situation is explained in the bag image.

Here's the breakdown:

Cover:
Snow gloves
Beanie
Neck warmer w/omni heat lining 
Jacket w/omni heat lining
2 person bivvy 
Poncho

Water/Food:
Bottle of water
Water purification tablets
Camp towel [help filter]
Platypus 1 liter container
3 Granola bars
Beef jerky

Cutting:
Ka Bar
Gerber AR 3.0
Gerber STL
Wire saw

Cordage:
10 feet of paracord
3 feet of paracord
2 foot of paracord
4 zip ties
10 feet of duct tape

Combustion: 
Fire lighters [matches with tinder]
8 waterproof matches
Nail file [striker]
Mini Bic lighter
4 Tinderquick tabs

Communication/Navigation:
Whistle
Signal Mirror
Mini flashlight
Flashlight
REI Orange stuff sack
Reflective tape on camo bag
Button compass

First Aid:
2 Bandaids
Hand cleansing wipe
Alcohol prep pad 
Gauze pad
2 butterfly bandaids
Altabax [prescription level antibiotic ointment]
Tweezers
Razor blade

Comfort:
Knife sharpener
Knife cloth
Bear Grylls survival guide
Lifeline survival guide
Wool socks [in ziplock bag]
4 Hand warmers
Hand cleaner
Snare wire
Fishing kit
Black Diamond headlamp
Heavy duty aluminum foil
[Not pictured] Mini multi tool [Forgot to put it back in... it keeps bouncing around between my survival kits]

Step 3: Ka Bar Survival Kit

I believe that at the heart of every great survival kit should be a great knife and the legendary Ka Bar is one of the best.  This bail out bag originated from this Ka Bar survival kit.

In a survival situation some of the items in this kit are designed to be worn.  The Ka Bar is one of them.  Included in this kit is a military tactical belt to take the weight of the sheath.  I've tied paracord around the back of the sheath so that this kit can be worn horizontal along the belt as well.  Inside of the sheath pocket is a highly modified SOL survival kit which keeps the contents dry.  Although this sheath pocket was customized by me, Maxpedition sells them as well.

Click through the other images to see how I've organized it.

Edit: I've uploaded a video to my YouTube channel about my Ka-Bar survival kit:

Step 4: Conclusion

Well that just goes to show you that you never know how making a survival kit surrounding your knife will end up.  :)  Hope y'all found something useful in this guide!  If you'd like to see the contents of my bugout/get home bag lemme know!  The next couple of projects that I'm working on is to make a useful Altoids Smalls survival tin and a useful [and not tacky] survival necklace.  

Lemme know what y'all thought!

See more of my DIY survival kits at http://www.youtube.com/user/BudgetBugout

Comments

[Mattakers]

Is kitty part of the kit? XD

[ParkerMansel]

Remember, "Two is one and One is none"

[masterset7]

I like your kitty

[gross067]

Where did you get the Camo Knife Sheath case for your Ka Bar? I looked up Ka Bar knives on Amazon, but didn't see any that came with a similar sheath? Thanks for the ideas of what to pack!

[ferusfett011]

Does the knife come with the pouch

[BudgetBugout]

The pouch was added. It's a SOL survival kit that I picked up from Cabelas.

[lhaley2]

Where did you purchase your Ka-Bar, I've had trouble tracking a real one over all the cheap ones sold online.

[BudgetBugout]

I got mine on Amazon. I've hyperlinked several items, including the Ka-Bar, to where I got them from under the breakdown section of my Instructable. :)

[ferusfett011]

I mean which pouch is it

[trisomy21]

Looks pretty good! Though Bear Grylls survival guide kind of irks me, does it instruct you to consume your own urine and hop around like a Jack Russell Terrier?

[BudgetBugout]

Haha! No not yet, maybe someday.

[sysadmn]

Consider buying a used Swiss Army knife for each of your kits. That way, if the multitool is in the "wrong" kit, you still have backup. The Camper/Climber/Tinker/Huntsmen are good choices; I've found them for $10-15 ea. on eBay. I have one and an LED headlamp in the center console of all my cars.

[BudgetBugout]

Yeah I just might do that. I've been considering buying the Farmer Swiss Army knife for a while. I have the Esquire Swiss Army knife on my keychain and might upgrade it.

[BudgetBugout]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions!  I have uploaded a video on my Ka-Bar survival kit on YouTube!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5H4yw5XGkY&feature=youtu.be

[przem]

Great kit!
I like that you've included a cat in it. Cats are very versatile survival tools (containing hand/neck warmer, foghorn, rodent trap, back scratcher, night vision, music player etc.)
Best regards!
P.

[BudgetBugout]

Thanks! Haha true, cats also help reduce one's heart rate which conserves much needed calories in a survival situation!