Bug-out bag essentials are as varied as opinions on the “perfect vacation.” There is no master list.

Where you live, your living situation, escape routes, how prepared your community is for a man made or natural disaster are all factors that will determine the universal items you should include. There are game changers, though, and below are some of our favorites.

You probably won’t be able to fit all of these items in your bug out bag, but this post is not meant to be a checklist. This post is to remind you of any items you would have put in your bag but forgot, and it’s to give you some ideas you might not have considered. The list is in alphabetical order.

1. Antibiotics – These could save your life. To fight 90% of infections, be sure to pack some cephalexin, ciprofloxacin, and metronidazole.

2. Baby Wipes – A very easy and convenient way to keep clean.

3. Backpack Rain Cover – Keep your bug out bag and its contents dry even if it’s pouring down rain.

4. Bandanas – You wouldn’t think so, but bandanas have dozens of uses.

5. Benadryl – If you’re outdoors and on foot, allergies could become a major problem.

6. Can Opener – If you have any canned food in your bag, then for God’s sake don’t forget to bring a can opener.

7. Celox Blood Clotting Powder – This stuff is great. It will stop small, penetrating wounds from bleeding.

8. Chap Stick – Use it to moisten chapped skin, stop small cuts from bleeding, prevent blisters, start fires, and much more.

9. Clothesline and Pins – Even if you take a lot of clothes with you, you’ll still have to wash and dry them at some point.

10. Collapsible Bowl – A sturdy bowl that takes up very little space.

11. Compact Survival Fishing Kit – If you pass any lakes or rivers, try to catch some fish so you don’t go through your packed food as quickly.

12. Dental First Aid Kit – Tooth pain can be excruciating, but a temporary filling can help relieve the pain until you can get to a dentist.

13. Dermabond – It’s basically glue for the skin so you don’t need stitches. An essential part of your first aid supplies.

14. Duct Tape – There’s a reason MacGyver liked duct tape. It has all sorts of surprising uses.

15. Ear Muffs – Frostbite on your ears will make you miserable. Don’t let that happen.

16. EpiPen – These are used in emergencies to treat severe allergic reactions. Ask your doctor to prescribe one.

17. Faraday shield – This will protect your electronics in case of an EMP (electromagnetic pulse).

18. Flash Drive – Scan all your important documents, forms of identification, pictures, books, etc. on this key chain flash drive.

19. Hoyle’s Rules of Games – If you pack a deck of cards, make sure you also pack this book.

20. Glow Sticks – You can use these to mark things in and around your camp so you’re not fumbling in the dark.

21. Goggles – Useful if you have to swim, and they’ll also protect your eyes from sand and debris in a storm.

Don't look at packing your bug-out-bag as a blue print for perfection. Instead, pack the items you can definitely see the use for. Pack items based on your needs and your situation and you will be ahead of the game.

Once these items are in place, you can tailor your bug-out bag to more readily suit your requirements. While you may never be able to include everything you will need, this list will get you started.

For the complete list of universal bug-out bag essentials, visit the awesome folks at Urban Survival Site.