EDC2Bug v2 (2023)

Disclaimer: I’ll only provide links to products I personally have in my system. I’m not sponsored by anyone, and I don’t get any kickbacks. I’m just sharing what I use.

Philosophy

I read a bunch of various posts about bug out and go bags, and it seems like everyone has their own theory on a hierarchy of survival needs. I of course, decided to come up with my own. I wanted to prioritize always having a good minimum set of supplies, but also being able to scale up to a full bug out bag if needed. I also enjoy tech, so this pack includes my general tech carry.

What do I have?

My first thought is to layer my supplies based on what I have.

  1. My body and mind
  2. Phone + Wallet
  3. Clothes
  4. A backpack
  5. My Car
  6. My Home

Each layer assumes I have the previous, and include increasingly more supplies.

I always have my mind and body, and 99% of the time I have my phone and wallet. If I have clothes on, I hopefully have at least one pocket. If I have a backpack, I can carry more supplies. If I have my car, I can carry even more supplies and store a proper bug out bag. If I have my home, I can load my car with the max supplies.

What do I need for survival?

My second thought is to layer my supplies based on what I need. My own hierarchy of needs (based on various others too numerous to list) is:

  1. Air
  2. Defense
  3. Shelter
  4. Fire
  5. Navigation
  6. Water
  7. Food
  8. Tech
  9. Fun

My thought process is that I can make it 3 minutes without air, max, so that is priority number one. Next, in a situation with hostile people, I need a way to defend myself in the short term. Once those have been handled, in extreme environments, I need shelter and heat within 3 hours. If I can stabilize to that point, I can navigate to safety if possible. If not, I need to find water within 3 days and food within 3 weeks. Finally, I need to keep myself sane and entertained if my situation is going to last longer.

On top of these needs, it is also helpful to have some tools that make certain tasks easier, such as light, writing, sewing, and cordage.

The Kits

My Body and Mind

What if I’m stranded naked on a desert island? I need to be able to survive with nothing but my body and mind. This mostly comes down to knowledge. Take a first aid course, do a wilderness survival lesson. Figure out some basic foraging in your area and learn basic knots as well as how to make basic cordage from natural resources.

Phone + Wallet

  • Phone
    • Offline Maps
    • Offline Survival Guides (Knots, Foraging, Shelter, SERE, etc.)
    • Offline Wikipedia
    • Offline Language Dictionaries
    • Offline First Aid
  • Wallet
    • Cash Cash Cash
    • ID
    • Card Multitool
    • Bandaids
    • Cordage
    • Sewing Kit
    • Notepad

Clothes

Assuming I have at least one pocket, what should I ALWAYS carry.

Backpack

What if I have a backpack? What should I ALWAYS carry.

Car

Car Stuff

  • Jumper Cables
  • Tire Iron
  • Straps
  • Road Flares - Slimk amazon
  • Duct Tape
  • Fuses

Bug Out Bag

  • Backpack - I use a 5.11 Rush 72
  • Knowledge
    • Pocket First Aid, Foraging, Knots, Bushcraft
  • Tools
    • Machete
    • Hatchet/Axe
    • Folding Shovel - Iunio Folding Shovel amazon
    • Folding Saw - REXBETI amazon
    • Cable Saw
    • Knife Stone - Work Sharp amazon
    • Mill File
  • Air
  • Shelter
  • Fire
    • CottonBall + Vaseline Tinder
    • Firesteel - Holtzman Ferro Rod amazon
    • Lighter
    • Matches
    • Survival Candle
  • Clothing
    • 2x Socks
      • I like wool
    • 2x Liner Socks - Wigwam Coolmax amazon
      • These are great for preventing blisters.
    • 2x Underwear
      • I like merino wool or specifically airy synthetic
    • 2x T-Shirts
    • 2x Underlayer - I prefer wool
    • 1x Hiking pants
    • 1x Hiking/UV Shirt
    • Hat
    • Sunscreen
  • Navigation
    • Compass
    • US Map
    • Notebook (Rite in the Rain amazon)
    • Pens
    • Sharpies
  • Water
  • Food
  • Medical
    • Big First Aid Kit
      • Tourniquet
      • Israeli Bandage
    • Hygiene
      • Camp Soap
      • Toothbrush
      • Toothpaste tablets
      • Wipes
      • Tissue
      • Squeeze Bidet - FOOFOO amazon
      • Chapstick
      • Anti-Chafe
  • Fun
    • Cards
    • Rubiks Cube