The Bug-Out Bag: 8–12 kg of Self-Sufficiency for 72 Hours
Most people pack a bag they cannot carry for 5 km. This is the weight-optimised, function-first category breakdown — including the child kit and the one thing most people forget.
What a Bug-Out Bag Is Not
A Bug-Out Bag (BOB) is not a camping kit. It is not a military loadout. It is the ability to survive the first 72 hours after everything familiar has ceased to exist — with what is on your back. The difference between a person with a BOB and one without is the difference between "I control the situation" and "I am a victim of circumstances."
One critical rule before the contents: weight. A bag must be carried for 5 kilometres, possibly in poor weather, possibly with a child's hand in yours. Every item must justify its weight. Adults: 8–12 kg. Children aged 5–12: 3–5 kg. Teenagers: 5–8 kg.
The 10 Categories
Water. 2–3 litres in bottles. Minimum for 1 day. You will find more along the route.
Food. 3 days of calorie-dense, no-cook items: canned goods, crackers, nuts, chocolate, dried fruit. Aim for 2,000 kcal/day in the smallest possible volume.
Documents. Passport, identity documents, copies of property and insurance papers — in a waterproof folder. Photos of all documents on your phone as backup.
Money. 20–30% of your cash reserve. Small denominations. Cards will not work.
Clothing. Two changes of underwear, a warm jacket, rain gear, sturdy footwear already on your feet.
First aid. Bandages, antiseptic, painkillers, and the complete supply of any personal chronic medications. This is the most commonly underpacked category.
Tools. A knife, 5 metres of rope, tape, a lighter. These four items solve the majority of field problems.
Communication. Phone with offline maps downloaded + power bank (fully charged). Spare SIM card if available.
Hygiene. Soap, toilet paper, feminine supplies if relevant. Within one week of a crisis, hygiene products become scarce and acquire high barter value.
Lighting. A headlamp with spare batteries. Both hands must remain free.
The Child Kit (3–5 kg, Ages 5–12)
One comfort item or favourite toy (psychological stability in displacement is not optional — it is protective). Treats for stressful moments. Two changes of clothing. Children's medications. And the most important item: what every child must know by heart from age 4 — full name, parents' names, phone number, home address, and the rally point: "If you get lost — go to [specific named place]."
Where to Store It
Not on a high shelf. Not in the garage. By the exit — hallway, under the bed nearest the door. The rule: you must be able to grab the bag and walk out in 30 seconds. Test this.