RECOIL OFFGRID Preparation Packing a Go Bag
In This Article
When disaster strikes being ready to move quickly and efficiently with the equipment and supplies you need is essential to ensuring the safety of you and your loved ones. To accomplish this many novice preparedness enthusiasts look into building a Bug Out Bag, or B.O.B for short. The Bug Out Bag is a style of Go Bag that has become a mainstream term thanks to popular media – but understanding when it is appropriate to use a Bug Out Bag or when to utilize one of the lesser-known types of Go Bags can mean the difference between life and death in an emergency. To help people become better equipped to understand exactly what they need in an emergency Recoil Offgrid has partnered with American Reconstruction Concepts to create a state-of-the-art tool to build your Ideal Go Bag system to ensure you are ready to not just survive but thrive in an uncertain world!
Before building a Go Bag it is important to understand exactly what a Go Bag is, the types of Go Bags, and what situations call for specific types of Go Bags. Simply stated a Go Bag is a survival kit that is designed to be taken with you while on the move containing all the things you need to survive in an emergency.
While the concept seems simple, the reality is much more complex as many people do not truly know what they need in an emergency. Chances are if this is your first time thinking about this concept you will make one of the two major mistakes – under packing or over packing.
The Dangers of Under Packing and Over Packing
Under packing leads to not having essential survival items. Often forgetting these essential items is an oversight as modern living has made things like the ability to obtain clean drinking water, healthy food, or light in the darkness a second thought. The fear of under packing can lead to over packing – while the better safe then sorry mentality may seem to make sense, adding weight and bulk can slow movement when every second counts. In addition to slowing movement, many people are not physically acclimated to having to carry a heavy bag on foot over long distances which can lead to discomfort and injury.
The first step in choosing the right Go Bag setup is understanding the 4 types of Go Bags and their unique applications. As we go through each time of bag you will see some example packs and gear that I rely on, while each Item is a great choice there are many reputable Items on the market to choose from!
WUSH Bags are built to maximize speed when seconds count. Compact bags like this GORUCK Bullet ruck are an Ideal choice for creating a quick grab and go pack that won’t slow you down.
The WUSH (Wake up, Stuffs Happening) bag is designed as your grab and go solution. It is designed to be light and efficient to ensure you can move quickly in an emergency. WUSH bags are ideal for quick evacuations in situations like a building fire and can be easily kept on or near your person daily. While the WUSH will not sustain you over the long term it can provide supplies you need until support arrives.
Communications
Health
Protection
Sustenance
Travel
EDC Basics
The VERTX Gamut is a versatile pack that maximizes organization with a slim profile and subdued appearance making it a great choice for a Get Home Bag that you may have to carry in public places.
As the name indicates, Get Home Bags are designed to provide supplies needed to get you home or another well stocked location in a emergency. Get Home Bags are often stored in a vehicle but are light enough to carry on your person comfortably when on foot for an extended duration if needed.
Communications
Health
Protection
Sustenance
Travel
EDC Basics
Basic Vital Documents
The Vanquest IBEX shares many features with hiking packs including a supportive suspension and waist belt making it an excellent choice for heavier Bug Out Bags that may have to carry over long distances.
Bug Out Bags are designed to provide up to 3 days of survival equipment and supplies and are often used in disaster situations that require evacuation. In addition to emergency equipment and supplies, Bug Out Bags will often contain spare clothing and other comfort items to sustain you for a few days. The comprehensive nature of these bags prioritizes supplies over speed.
Communications
Health
Protection
Sustenance
Travel
Tools and Other Essential Items
The 5.11 Tactical RUSH packs may not be discreet, but they make up for it in functionality and carry capacity. The Rush 24 has a large 37-liter carry capacity and the Rush 72 is a cavernous 55-liter pack making a great option for INCH bags.
If you are grabbing your Inch (I’m never coming home) Bag, you don’t plan on coming back! Where the INCH Bag is different from the Bug Out Bag is the focus shifts to long term survival and will rely more heavily on tools to help you accomplish your survival goals rather than short term supplements. The comprehensive nature of these bags makes them very large and heavy which can dramatically slow movement if traveling on foot and are better suited for vehicle travel.
Communications
Health
Protection
Sustenance
Travel
Tools and Other Essential Items
Each of us has a unique situation based on our physical condition, family size, geographic location, and climate conditions. In most cases everyone should have multiple bag types to accommodate different situations, and the contents of these bags will be determined by your own unique needs – but understand where to start and what your priority items are can be challenging. That is where ARC’s Bag Building Tools come in!
Using ARC’s bag building tools take Michael Caughran’s extensive experience as a US Air Force SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) instructor and condenses it into an easy-to-use format to provide a detailed custom tailored survival packing list for your unique needs.
Take the first step into becoming more prepared by clicking the link below to access ARC’s free Go Bag Tool! The process is simple -answer a few questions to help identify your unique needs based on your location, climate, personal capabilities, expected emergency type and the number of people you will need to support. From there you will receive a detailed list of everything you need to build your ideal Go Bag!
CHECK OUT THE ARC GO BAG SELECTOR TOOL HERE
Building your kit is just the beginning! Every piece of equipment is only as effective as your ability to use it! Utilize the numerous resources available on offgridweb.com to enhance your knowledge. Practice using the gear in your kit to perfect techniques and build muscle memory. Take training courses with reputable and experienced trainers through ARC or any of the trusted trainers found in the pages of our magazine or on offgridweb.com!
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