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[@SensiblePrepper] My Personal Bugout Bag Set-Up and the Philosophy Behind it

· 8 min read
[@SensiblePrepper] Summarizer
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@SensiblePrepper - "My Personal Bugout Bag Set-Up and the Philosophy Behind it"

Link: https://youtu.be/KfKCqDcRriA

Short Summary​

Action Item/Takeaway:

Have a well-maintained, seasonally appropriate bugout/get-home bag with essential survival supplies in your vehicle to buy you time and options in various emergencies.

Executive Summary:

This video emphasizes the importance of having a prepared bugout/get-home bag in your vehicle for a range of emergencies, not just zombie apocalypses. Regular maintenance, seasonal adaptation, and practicing with the contents are crucial. The bag should prioritize the "rule of threes" (air, shelter, water, food) and be tailored to your specific regional threats.

Key Quotes​

Here are 5 quotes extracted from the YouTube video transcript, representing valuable insights and strong opinions:

  1. "One of the things that I always say is you can have a personal SHTF. It may affect no one else. It may be just you. And guys, I mean, we've all experienced that where we've had situations that have happened." - This emphasizes the importance of being prepared for personal emergencies, not just large-scale disasters.

  2. "Bugging out makes you a glorified refugee. It's what it does. And if you're planning to throw on a backpack and head out into the woods, you're in a lot more danger." - This is a strong opinion advocating for bunkering in as the primary survival strategy and views bugging out as a last resort.

  3. "The one thing about a bag is it gives you options. And the one thing about prepping, and I've been saying this quite a bit lately, is that it just buys you time...prepping just buys you time. It keeps the panic down and it gets you in a position to where you can make better choices and you're not desperate." - This highlights the core benefit of prepping: gaining time and reducing panic in an emergency.

  4. "Get your stuff out and try it. You don't want to try it for the first time in an emergency. You want to try it and get it and get good at it and understand what you have in your bag." - This stresses the importance of practical experience with gear rather than simply accumulating supplies.

  5. "If you have a cloak and you don't have a sword or you have two cloaks, sell your cloak and buy a sword. So you can to me it's like that means to be prepared." - This offers a religious justification for preparedness, referencing a biblical passage to support the idea of prioritizing essential tools for survival.

Detailed Summary​

Here's a detailed summary of the YouTube video transcript, organized by key topics:

I. Introduction & Importance of Bugout/Get Home Bags

  • The video focuses on bugout bags, get home bags, and emergency kits, emphasizing their importance for personal emergencies and larger-scale events.
  • The core concept is that these bags are not necessarily for a "zombie apocalypse," but for addressing everyday emergencies, personal SHTF situations, and potential evacuation scenarios.
  • FEMA recommends having emergency supplies at home and a smaller, transportable kit in vehicles.
  • It's important to have survival supplies in your vehicle at all times.

II. Philosophies & Considerations for Bugging Out

  • Primarily bunker in: The speaker emphasizes that staying at home (bunkering in) should be the primary plan, as that's where most supplies and familiarity lie. Building relationships with neighbors is crucial.
  • Bugging Out as a Last Resort: Bugging out is likened to becoming a refugee and is discouraged as a primary survival strategy. It's risky and makes you vulnerable.
  • Highways can be clogged: If a major disaster occurs, driving may not be an option.
  • Having a bag gives you options: Bags provide options in case primary plans fail, offering a means to evacuate or travel on foot.
  • Prepping buys you time: Prepping helps reduce panic and allows for making better, less desperate decisions.

III. Bag Maintenance and Seasonal Adaptation

  • Check and Replenish: Regularly inspect the bag's contents to ensure all items are present and in good condition. Items are often pulled out and not replaced.
  • Bag Integrity: Check zippers, handles, and the overall condition of the bag itself. Repair any damage.
  • Seasonal Adaptation: Adjust the bag's contents based on the changing seasons, adding or removing items as needed. Even in summer, it's essential to have items for cooler temperatures.

IV. Bag Type and Organization

  • North Face Duffle bag: The speaker uses a North Face duffle bag due to its packability, waterproofing, organization, and shoulder straps. Recommended buying one for the family.
  • Smaller Get Home Bag: Dean from Roaring Fire Gear wax canvas bag
  • Compartmentalization: While a high degree of compartmentalization isn't essential, a bag should be organized enough to easily access needed items.
  • Prioritize bag fit

V. Key Items & Considerations (Rule of Threes)

  • Rule of Threes: 3 minutes without air, 3 hours without shelter in harsh conditions, 3 days without water, 3 weeks without food. Self-defense and medical needs factor in between these.

    • Medical: Medical kits are vital; trauma kits (CAT tourniquet, chest seals, hemostatic gauze) are essential, even for bystanders. Range kits are important.

      • amp3.net (USN ER doc)- use SOOTCH20 for 20% off.
      • Medical Gear Outfitters (Skinny Medic).

    • Fire: A fire kit is crucial for cooking, boiling water, warmth, light, and morale. (Mentioned Exotac as a good source).

      • Exotac: Use SOOTCH20 for 20% off.

    • Tools & Shelter:

      • Silky Saw: Recommended for cutting wood.
      • Fixed Blade Knife: Essential for various tasks, a full-tang knife is recommended for strength.
      • Bandana: Versatile for dust protection, head covering, and other uses.
      • Paracord (Spool Tool): Keeps paracord organized.
      • Tent Stakes: Lightweight MSR tent stakes can be used to supplement making wooden ones.
      • Gloves: Protect hands and provide warmth.
      • Maps: Paper maps are essential backups to GPS.
      • Heavy Mil Trash Bags: Versatile for shelter, water collection, and carrying items.
      • Shelter: Arterics mylar emergency blanket.

    • Other Essentials:

      • Admin Pouch: Contains odds and ends like batteries, a fishing kit, a sealcock wrench, a knife sharpener, and a whistle.
      • Emergency Radio: Crane radio for weather and news updates (solar/crank powered).
      • Clothing: Watch cap, extra socks.
      • Rain Gear: Jacket or pants to prevent hypothermia.
      • Wet Wipes: For hygiene and toilet paper substitute (Dude Wipes mentioned).
      • Water Filter: Grail press for quick filtration. Frontier filter straws are also mentioned for small water filtering.
      • Cooking: Propane container and small burner to cook food or boil water. Pathfinder school stainless steel small cooking set.
      • Food: Mountain House food and MREs. 2500 calorie SOS lifeboat bar is mentioned.
      • Binoculars: To see what is happening down the road.
      • Battery Backups: for devices.
      • Pepper Spray: Saber red as a defense tool in riots.

VI. Gear Tips & Reminders

  • Try out gear: It's important to get your stuff out and try it.
  • Don't hoard.
  • Buy quality bag with proper fit

VII. Book Recommendations

  • The Modern Survival Manual for the Coming Economic Collapse by Fernando "FerFAL" Aguirre (Argentina).
  • Going Home Series by A. American, specifically Charlie's Requiem (a spin-off).

VIII. Addressing Security and Theft

  • Potential security concerns: theft of bugout bags from vehicles.
  • Metal mesh bag to secure bags: Mesh bag with metal cable can be attached to the vehicle frame.

IX. Q&A Session Highlights (Addressed to live audience)

  • Florida hurricane preparedness: Add life preservers to bugout equipment because people drown.
  • Rain Jacket Recommendations: The presenter recommends the North Face Dry Vent rain jacket for breathability.
  • Conceal carry firearm tips High capacity magazines are important and the presenter recommends the Shield Plus as a better alternative to the Ruger LC9.
  • Bag Weight: Aim for a maximum of 30 pounds.
  • Do you recommend an exercise for overweight preppers to start: Walking at first and then swimming. Second, backing away from the table and change your diet.
  • Canic SFX
  • Is a hot tent with a winter stove a good bugout option? Yes, but also be ready to abandon the hot tent if needed.
  • How do you make a fire in the rain? Find the dryer wood that has not soaked up water and use fire tender to keep it going.
  • About pull carts pulled by bikes

X. The Role of Faith in Prepping

  • Faith as a Guide: While God provides, it doesn't absolve personal responsibility in preparing.
  • Prepping as Responsibility: Preparing for family is a mandate to care for the vulnerable.

The video concludes by reiterating the importance of being prepared without becoming obsessive, thanking sponsors, and offering a closing message of strength and courage.