The items that you need to pack in your urban bug out bag will be a little bit different from the rural bug out bag. For instance, you do not really need to pack a tarp for shelter in an urban survival situation.
Since shelter is abundant in urban areas. However, a tarp can still be helpful but it will be the least of the important items that you need to bring with you.
Disasters can happen anytime in the city and you should be prepared. Whether it is a man-made disaster or a natural disaster, an urban bug out bag will help you survive until help arrives.
In an urban survival scenario, you will come to a point where you need to protect yourself from other people. Also, you need weapons and different types of tools that you can use to survive in the city.
In addition, food and water are still the basic things that you need in order to survive. I have created a list of essential items that you need to pack. Feel free to add other items that you think you might need in case things turn for the worse. Escape danger and pack these essential items.
Urban Bug Out Bag EDC Kit
EDC stands for “Everyday Carry” and this is a collection of useful items that you need to put in your urban bug out bag. The main purpose of an EDC Kit is to enable you to be prepared for the unexpected.
Your urban bug out bag should contain all the items necessary to survive for at least three days. However, this is just the minimum pack that you need until help arrives. You can always pack essential items that can help you survive for more than three days.
Keep in mind that the most important thing is to pack light and stay on stealth mode. In fact, other people might be interested in the items that you are carrying. Most especially in an urban survival situation.
To be more specific, try to choose a bug out bag that is simple, small and light. It should have enough compartments for your items. I would suggest staying away from tactical bags since this will just attract curiosity from other people and they might be interested in the things that you are carrying.
Food For Urban Survival
When it comes to food, MREs, or Meal, Ready-To-Eat foods should be on your urban bug out bag. In fact, one of the best things about ready to eat foods is that you do not need to prepare or cook food and you can eat on the go.
A secondary option is to include freeze-dried foods which are also a great option because these are easy to pack, light, and do not consume space. They are easy to prepare and all you have to do is pour in boiling water and stir.
In fact, energy bars are excellent in replenishing your energy. They contain high-calorie ingredients. I usually include MREs and energy bars in my urban bag out bag. You can eat them on the go and you do not need extensive preparation.
You can also include instant coffee packs. I am a coffee drinker myself. You can enjoy a hot cup of coffee in the morning, even in a survival situation.
As a matter of fact, I would suggest including a trail mix or GORP (a mixture of dried fruits and nuts) which also provides you high-energy during a survival situation. In addition, you can create your own trail mix with nuts and dried food of your choice.
Canned goods are not advisable as it is heavier and consumes a lot of space, but just in case you want to add canned goods, just make sure to bring a can opener with you. In addition, do not forget to include a stainless steel spork or titanium spoon and fork set.
Titanium is much lighter than steel, however, it is more expensive, but whatever you choose, just make sure you have something to use for eating. Also, include a stainless steel cup or titanium cup or pot for boiling water.
Water Filter To Include In Your Bug Out Bag
During a survival situation, water is one of the most important things that you should have. However, if you carry water in your bug out bag, it will only add weight and make you sore, causing you to slow down. The best option is to collect water on the go.
The first thing that you need to include in your urban bug out bag is water purification tablets. In fact, you can purify water on the go. It helps eliminate harmful substances and microorganisms and make it safe for drinking.
However, you need a backup water filter just in case your purification tablets run out. A good thing about water filters is that you can drink water directly from the water source. There are a wide variety of portable water filters in the market.
You can choose between portable water pump filters, gravity filters, and other water filters that will allow you to drink straight from the water source. However, you need to make sure to clean the filters regularly and choose the cleanest water source possible.
Shelter And Blanket
A tarp can provide good shelter in a survival situation. It is versatile and can be used in a number of ways. For instance, if you do not have a raincoat, you can use a tarp to protect your gear. You can set it up for shelter and in fact, you can use it to collect rainwater. Tarps are durable and lightweight.
Survival blankets can help you keep warm on cold weather. To make your survival situation a bit comfortable, you can also add a survival pillow. All you need to do is to blow air inside the pillow and use it right away. These are easy to fold, lightweight, and it does not consume space.
A great addition would be a roll-up camp mat. This will be your preference and it is not important, you can choose a lightweight sleeping bag or a roll-up mat for beddings. This will make you more comfortable in a survival situation.
Face Mask Or Gas Mask
A face mask can protect you from toxic debris floating in the air. Both face mask and gas mask will help protect your lungs. The only difference is that a gas mask provides better protection. It can protect you from chemicals and highly-toxic materials in the air including airborne viruses.
However, they take up space in your urban bug out bag and it is more expensive compared to a disposable face mask. Whichever you choose, make sure to include one in your urban bug out bag to protect your lungs.
Firestarters
Fire is important for urban survival. You can make a campfire to keep you warm and you can also cook food and boil water. The essential items that you need to include in your urban bug out bag are waterproof matches, lighter, and a steel or magnesium firestarter.
As a matter of fact, you have to take note that you will need at least three types of firestarters in a survival situation. When choosing a lighter, it is essential to choose a rechargeable lighter with a coil. Some brands are waterproof and at the same time windproof.
When it comes to magnesium firestarters, you would need a little bit of practice. In fact, as long as you have three types of firestarters, you are good to go.
Weapons For Your Urban Bug Out Bag
It is essential to protect yourself during an urban survival situation. If you want to bring a firearm with you, that will be your own preference. However, the only downside is that a gun is heavy and you may run out of bullets in a worst-case scenario.
On the other hand, it is always a good idea to bring with you a survival knife for backup. When choosing a knife to include in your urban bug out bag, you have to select a fixed-blade knife, while a folding pocket knife can also be used for backup.
Fixed-blade knives are heavy-duty and durable. Most fixed-blade knives are made from corrosion-resistant materials and many brands are made from carbon steel. These make the knives light to carry. To keep your knife sharp, most survival knives have a knife sheath and a sharpening stone or sharpeners included.
Sanitation And Hygiene
Travel pocket soaps, towelettes, toilet paper, and hand sanitizers are essential for hygiene. You have to include a toothbrush, small toothpaste, and dental floss in your urban bug out bag.
Clothing
Clothing is essential but only pack enough for three days. You do not want your urban bug out bag to be heavy and only carry clothes. Simply pack lightweight, quick-drying garments. Just make sure to bring the essentials like underwear, socks, pants, shirt, hat, and jacket.
Documentation
This is perhaps one of the most important things that you need to include in your urban bug out bag. Include a recent identification card with photo, birth certificate, and insurance documentation. Of course, bring any documentation that can help identify you who you really are. This way, you will not get into trouble with the authorities.
First Aid Kit For Your Urban Bug Out Bag
A first-aid kit is perhaps one of the most important things to carry just in case you are injured or if you need medication. If you are taking maintenance medication, make sure that you pack enough for three days or more. For instance, diabetes and allergy medications.
In fact, include over-the-counter medications for fever, cough, flu, and headaches and anti-diarrhea medications.
The basic things that you need to include are trauma pads, bandages, sterile gauze, blood-clotting agent, antibiotic wound ointment, surgical tape, oral rehydration salts, tweezers, scissors, surgical suture kit, alcohol, and surgical gloves. You can add more items as long as it does not consume space and add weight on your bug out bag.
Other Essential Items For Your Bug Out Bag
A crowbar can help you smash windows and pry open doors. This is essential for survival as you can also use it for protection. In fact, you will also need wire cutters to cut fences and to cut a rope or other thin materials for bushcrafting.
You will also need an ax for cutting down doors just in case you find yourself trapped in your house or a building. However, you do not need a full-sized ax. There are many portable axes in the market to choose from.
In addition, you will need water keys to access business or residential water in a survival situation. In the event of a natural disaster or any survival situation, access to different water sources is essential.
Always include an emergency radio in your urban bug out bag. A crank radio would be best to keep yourself up-to-date regarding emergency situations. In fact, you can choose between a solar-powered radio or a battery-operated radio. On the other hand, you’ll need a reliable two-way radio for communications.
Of course, you might need a portable solar charger for your electronic devices. These are lightweight and thin and can be packed easily inside your urban bug out bag.
Conclusion
This is just a guide on what you can include in your urban bug out bag. You can still modify your survival pack the way you want it. However, you always have to keep in mind to pack necessary items only.
You should at pack items that can help you survive for at least three days. Always keep your urban bug out bag small and light to avoid soreness. In fact, if you pack small, this will avoid other people from noticing that you have essential supplies with you.
Just in case you are bugging out with your family, I would suggest preparing an urban bug out bag for each family member. It will be your preference if each bug out bag will contain the same items or you have the option to assign different items for each member.
Since we cannot always predict when a disaster or survival situation is going to happen, make sure to have an urban bug out bag prepared in your home, office, or car. All you need to do is grab it and move to a safe location.
Also, make sure to pack an urban bug out bag for your dog. They will make a great companion and provide a certain level of protection during a survival situation.
