When thinking of survival or bug-out bags, many people think of rations, warm clothing, some spare cash, and such traditional items. Now, it seems, there are more preppers than ever before, with people stockpiling resources and getting ready to bail at a moment’s notice if necessary.
While this has long been standard practice in the US, it has now spread to many other nations worldwide. Finder reports survival preppers have increased to account for nearly 72 percent of American adults. There have been more frequent news reports in the UK about preppers and in India, such as with the Chang La Vault set up by the government in the Himalayas.
However, the traditional prepper kit could do with a few tweaks in the modern day. Many think of bug-out bags as needed when we revert away from tech, but that’s likely not the case. You should consider these tech and traditional items for your preparedness bags and bunkers.
The tech that is essential for modern prepper bags
As a part of your existing survival backpack or go bag, you’re going to want to include a tech pouch. Luckily, modern tech is relatively svelte, designed to be convenient and easily transported, so a tech add-on won’t add more weight than it’s worth. As detailed by the ExpressVPN survival kit guide, there are four key categories to tick off.
First, you’ll want to ensure that you have enough data storage devices, which include SD cards, readers, adapters, flash drives with your essential data and files loaded on, an external SSD, and a portable operating system. As you’d assume, you’ll need smartphone tech, including prepaid SIM cards and a mobile hotspot.
While you’ll likely already have something similar in other parts of your bug, bringing along tools like a small screwdriver kit and pocket knife will be handy for any tech fixing. Finally, as you’d likely assume, power banks and dry batteries headline the category of chargers.
Traditional kit to prioritize
Of course, you can’t make any kind of bag to get and go without the traditional kit. The Tactical ‘build or buy’ article covers the stuff you need to prioritize. The first requirement is food and water. You’ll need a portable water filtration system, purification tablets, and, ideally, stainless steel water bottles.
As for food, high-nutrition energy bars, ready-to-eat meals, and non-perishable canned goods are all key. These will likely make up a large bulk of the weight in your bag, and you’ll need supplies to get more. So, a portable stove, fishing kit, field knife, and waterproof zip-lock bags can all come in handy.
Next is to ensure sleep, shelter, and warmth, for which you’ll want a lightweight tent, compact sleeping bag, a roll of tarp – just in case – and some lightweight, warm clothing. Another crucial part of the bag is a compact first aid kit. Usually, the standard one-person first aid kits have enough of what you’d need.
The modern bug-out bag needs its tech pouch, as the chances are that it’ll still be usable and very useful if the time comes to grab and go. So, be sure to add one to your traditional haul of gear.
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