The decision to bug out is a major, life-changing event; you need to be prepared for it and the aftermath and one way of doing that are to make sure your Bug-Out Bag has the essentials you will need until you can reach safety.

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Knife – A knife is a standard piece of equipment in any survival situation. Make sure you have one tucked away that is full-tang and durable enough to serve multiple purposes. The knife should have a handle that gives you a good grip and not one that will easily slide out of your hand. Little multipurpose knives are not going to cut it.

2. Plastic Bags – Tuck some of these into your bug out bag to use for keeping gear dry, wrapping over your shoes to keep your feet dry, collecting water via transpiration, and so forth.

3. Trash Bags – Large kitchen trash bags can be transformed into a comfy mattress or used to clean up your campsite. Cleanliness will be doubly important during a major disaster.

4. Paracord – Paracord is another staple of any bug out bag. You can wear a paracord bracelet, belt, lanyard, or carry a length in your pack. Paracord has numerous uses that could save your life.

5. Bottled Water – Keeping a bottle of water in your bug out bag is crucial, but once it is empty, that bottle will serve a multitude of purposes. Don’t toss it out!

6. Paper Clips – Paper clips are tiny and weigh almost nothing, but they’re very useful in a survival situation. Keep some stashed away in one of the pockets of your bug out bag.

7. Ziploc Bags – Ziploc sandwich bags are perfect for keeping your gear dry and organized, gathering wild edibles, collecting water, and more.

8. Poncho – Keep at least one poncho in your bug out bag. Ponchos obviously keep you dry, but they can be used for a variety of other purposes as well.

9. Tarp – Tarps are a little bulky, but you can roll one up and attach it to the bottom or top of your pack. They are great for throwing up a shelter, making a stretcher, carrying supplies, etc.

10. Floss – While oral health is important, there are many uses for floss besides keeping your gums in good shape. Building shelter, mending clothes, setting traps, and even stitching wounds.

11. Zip Ties – Zip ties can be picked up at the dollar store, but they are truly invaluable. Using zip ties to repair your gear or hold bandages in place are just some of the uses.

12. Chap Stick – Chapstick is a luxury that can mean the difference between dry, cracked, painful lips or healthy lips. But it can also be used for miscellaneous things like starting fires and making candles.

13. Bandanas – Bandanas are lightweight and can be tied to your pack if you are worried about them taking up space. And there are nearly 100 survival uses for them.

14. Glow Sticks – Glow sticks are cheap, but they are very useful. If you have kids in your bug out party, have each kid wear a glow stick so you can keep track of them.

No matter how prepared you are in your domicile, if the situation is drastic enough, you may be faced with the prospect of having to bolt in a hurry.

If that event happens, you need to have a Bug-Out Bag that is well stocked with equipment and supplies to get you through.

What goes into it is purely subjective; to see a list of more items you should include in your Bug-Out Bag, please visit the Urban Survival Site.