Every day we have an increasing need to learn how to survive should the worst happen. Whether it be a natural disaster or an invading country, having resources available to you is one of the most important assets you could have. Preparation is key, whether or not there is immediate danger. In this instructable, I will show you how to put together a lightweight bug out bag that gives you a good opportunity to survive on the move. Please check out my YouTube channel Alpha & Omega Survival School for survival videos and much more!

Step 1: The Pack

The pack I used for my BOB is a SOG Hydration pack. It includes a water bladder that stores in a pocket against the back of the pack. It is lightweight and has plenty of storage pockets and storage area for a lightweight BOB. By lightweight I mean from 0 to 25 pounds. There are compression straps on the side and underneath the pack. These can be used to keep the contents of the pack secured or to attach a small backpackers tent. The major con of this pack is it has a tactical look...maybe not the best in encounters with unfriendlies. If you can find an urban looking pack that has plenty of space I would recommend that too. But this pack works well...wouldn't you agree?

Step 2: Outer Attachments

On the outside of my pack, I have:

1) a lightweight but heavy duty carabiner
2) a 5000 mah solar power bank
3) 2 high lumen torches with military sheaths
4) 2 solar powered G-Shock time pieces
5) Gerber Gator folding knife
6) Leatherman Supertool 300 Multitool
7) Small pouch containing a small sharpening stone
8) 4 ALICE clips (attaches multitool and Gerber to the pack)

It is very important to have some items on the exterior of your pack for easy access. Having a blade and a Multitool on the outside of the pack in an emergency will keep you from needing to stop or slow down and fish through you bag if you need it quickly. The same goes for the small stone. My primary stone is inside the bag. The watches are solar powered and water resistant as is the power bank. These are on the exterior for obvious reasons... The sun. The torches are also a frequently needed item and they attach very nice to the Molly on the pack. The ALICE clips currently hold the Leatherman and the Gerber, however, I commonly carry the Multitool as part of my EDC so I could potentially use the extra clips to attach any added gear or supplies. The carabiner conveniently fits on the outside and can be send for anything from an extra handle on the pack to attaching heavier items.

Step 3: Outer Small Pocket

If your bag has an outer small pocket, you might include items such as I have in mine. They are small (obviously), and would need to be easily accessed. My outer small pocket contains:

1) Gerber BG watertight Ferro Rod and striker with a small whistle attached with some shock cord
2) 2 water resistant containers that hold my primary 18650 torch batteries.
3) An Multitool including a fork, spoon and can opener
4) an Engineer lensatic compass
5) 2 small pocket mirrors with blaze orange cases
6) a small bit/driver set
7) a small bottle of hand sanitizer
8) a small bottle of gorilla glue
9) an extra mouthpiece for the water bladder
10) Chapstick

The torch batteries are not kept in the torches in order to avoid possible corroding and the subsequent ruining of the internal workings of the torches. The orange containers are simply Coleman match containers! 1$ each at Walmart!

Step 4: Outer Mid Sized Pocket

The outer mid sized pocket contents are:

1) a 5x7 foot tarp with drawstring pouch
2) a roll of black electrical tape
3) a roll of cloth athletic tape
4) 3 spare 18650 batteries in water resistant cases
5) a Doan magnesium bar
6) a fair amount of 550 paracord (not walmarts cord)
7) small bag of assorted sized ranger bands
8) 2 pens and 2 pencils
9) a small weatherproof notebook
10) a water resistant tin containing fire starting materials
11) 2 gallon sized ziploc bags

Step 5: Secondary Large Pocket

In the second largest pocket, I include:

1) a small packet of credit card sized fresnel lenses
2) a pack of playing cards
3) an altoids tin containing matches and a striker
4) my altoids tin survival kit (check out my 'ables on it!!!)
5) a leather knife strop for fine tuning my blade
6) my primary sharpening stone (double sided fine cut with diamond inlay etc etc)
7) Mora Light my fire Knife with Ferro Rod in the handle with sheath
8) S&W tanto fixed blade with sheath
9) Schrade extreme survival knife with fire kit inside the handle
10) American flag patch on Schrade sheath can be used as a notifier to others that you are friendly

The playing cards are to help pass the time and lighten the mood. This is key to survival. There is no need to worry yourself to death. Columbus' men made cards from leaves to pass the time when they came to America. Why not have a deck with you when you're surviving? The Schrade is not a cheapo knife that will break like the ones from harbor freight. It is drop forged from a single piece of steel and the handle is waterproof.

Step 6: Primary Large Pocket

In the largest pocket, I keep items such as:

1) first aid kit (also contains toothbrush/paste, water purification tablets, bug spray, etc)
2) 3 sets of everlast hand wraps
3) bandana
4) 3 smoke bombs
5) camo bible
6) large weatherproof notebook
7) 2 dry bags
8) metal canteen
9) fatwood shavings
10) metal cup
11) Bic lighter
12) perma match waterproof lighter
13) fire piston with 3 bags of char cloth
14) Pack of clove cigarettes (for trading)
15) hand saw

The hand wraps are for boxing gloves but could be used to secure a broken arm, etc.

Step 7: First Aid Kit Add Ons

I'm going to spare you since this 'able is long enough... These are the add ons to my first aid kit, which I purchased from Walmart. The list of the included contents can be found online.

Here are the items I added to it:

1) mini roll of gorilla tape
2) pack of diamond paper matches
3) tube of 100% deet bug spray
4) bug spray towelettes
5) mini toothpaste tube
6) collapsible toothbrush
7) water purification tablets
8) Bic lighter
9) candle
10) Chapstick
11) tissues
12) Anti diarrheal pills

Step 8: Hope You Enjoyed!

Before I get bombarded in the comments, I'd like to say that I will be adding food items such as clif bars or jerky to my bag in the near future. Food is important but knowledge is even more important. I am a hunter and a gatherer. I know enough about edible and medicinal plants to sustain myself for a little while. I study my field guides and I know my local area. I highly recommend building your own bag rather than copying mine or anyone else's. Make your bag your own. The essentials will be the same, but you may choose some different items than I have.

Thanks so much for reading and please comment and check out my YouTube channel Alpha & Omega Survival School!!

Thanks,

Josh