Bug Out Checklist

Bug-in Bag & Household Resilience Checklist (nutrition, water, comms, power, meds, defense, hunting & support network)

Below is a practical, ready-to-use checklist covering everything you asked for. I’ll present most items as checkboxes you can tick off, with counts and conservative quantities for one month where applicable. I’ll also show the water math explicitly so totals are clear.

Core principles (follow these while preparing)

• Prioritize safe storage, rotation, and legal compliance (prescriptions, firearms, radio licensing, hunting permits).
• Train the people listed (radio/ham, first aid, safe firearm/hunting handling, butchering basics, generator safety).
• Keep redundancy: at least two ways to get water, two ways to power phones, two comms methods.

1) People & mutual-aid network

• 3–5 able-bodied local contacts (names, phone numbers, alternate comms, physical meeting points). Include primary & backup assigned tasks.
• Written and practiced mutual-aid plan (rendezvous points, roles: medical, security, water, food, communications).
• Roster with home addresses and availability windows.

2) Cash & documents

• $1,000 in small denominations (as requested). Example packing options:
   
  • Option A: 200 × $5 bills = $1,000 (compact).
  • Option B: 100 × $5 ($500) + 500 × $1 ($500) = $1,000 (mix of change and bills).
• Waterproof envelope with: IDs, passport, insurance cards, medication list (names + doses), copies of radio license(s), spare keys.
• Digital copies of the above stored offline (encrypted USB) and printed backup.

3) Drinking water — quantities & filtration (explicit math)

Recommended minimum per person for one month (30 days):

• Drinking: 1 gallon/day × 30 days = 30 gallons.
  (Work shown: 1 × 30 = 30.)
• Cooking & minimal hygiene: 1 additional gallon/day × 30 = 30 gallons.
  (1 × 30 = 30.)
• Total per person ≈ 30 + 30 = 60 gallons per 30-day month.
  (30 + 30 = 60.)

If you’re preparing for a household, multiply by household size.

Example household of 4: 60 gallons × 4 = 240 gallons needed.

(60 × 4 = 240.)

Checklist — water storage & treatment

• Stored bottled water or food-grade 55-gal drums (label date & rotate).
• Primary filter(s): gravity system / Berkey / large ceramic gravity filter for household.
• Personal filters: Sawyer Mini or LifeStraw per person.
• UV pen (Steripen) for clear water disinfection (battery/solar backup).
• Chemical treatment: chlorine bleach (unscented household bleach) and water purification tablets (iodine or chlorine dioxide) — store instructions.
• Boiling capability: kettle/camp stove and fuel.
• Rain catchment setup (gutters, first-flush diverter, food-grade tanks) OR identified nearby water source(s) (well, spring, stream) — knowledge of access points.
• Spare parts: replacement filters, O-rings, tubing, filter cartridges, ¼-inch pump parts.

4) Food & nutrition (1 month baseline + sustainable plan)

• Calorie & protein focus: plan heavy in animal protein as requested. Per person, 1 month:
   
  • Frozen meats & canned meats (chicken, tuna, salmon, SPAM) — rotate.
  • Shelf-stable proteins: dried beans (soak/cook), powdered milk, whey/pea protein, jerky.
  • Eggs: keep fresh if using chicken coop (see below).
• Suggested 1-month staples (per person, conservative):
   
  • 25–40 lb rice / 20–30 lb pasta
  • 20–40 lb beans / legumes
  • 40–60 eggs (if no coop yet) or plan to obtain from coop
  • 30 cans (or equivalent) high-protein canned meat/fish
  • Cooking oil, salt, sugar, basic spices
  • Vitamin/mineral supplements (multivitamin)
• Longer term / sustainability: seeds for the victory garden (see below), canning supplies, dehydrator.
• Manual & solar cooking options (camp stove, propane, solar oven).

5) Victory garden & animal protein (quarter acre minimum)

• Land: at least 0.25 acre identified, soil tested, sun exposure noted.
• Seeds & seedlings: heirloom, open-pollinated seeds for vegetables, potatoes, beans, corn, and fast growers (radish, lettuce).
• Tools: spade, hoe, wheelbarrow, watering system (drip/soaker), compost bin, soil amendments, mulch.
• Irrigation planning: rainwater reserve and drip lines.
• Chicken coop: (see below) to supply eggs and small meat birds.
• Garden calendar & succession planting plan for continuous harvest.

6) Chicken coop & small livestock basics

• Coop sized for desired birds (e.g., 6–12 chickens): secure run, predator-proof hardware cloth.
• Feed (bulk), feeders, waterers, grit, calcium (crushed oyster shell).
• Nesting boxes, roosts, bedding (straw/shavings), basic vet care supplies.
• Plan for rotation/processing legalities and humane housing.
• Knowledge of local regs and biosecurity practices.

7) Medications, medical support & supplies

• Subscription & telemedicine: year subscription to your chosen service (e.g., JASE or equivalent) — ensure it legally covers prescriptions you need.
• One-year bulk supply of any legally prescribed maintenance medications (in original bottles, keep copies of prescriptions).
• OTC & first aid stock (one month baseline + extended):
   
  • Pain relievers (acetaminophen, ibuprofen)
  • Electrolyte mixes, antacids, anti-diarrheal, antihistamines (benadryl), topical antiseptics, antibiotic ointment
  • Wound dressings, suturing kit (for trained users), SAM splint, tourniquet (and training)
• Requested antiparasitic stock: ivermectin, fenbendazole, mebendazole — store only per law and with medical oversight. I can’t provide dosing advice; consult a licensed clinician and local laws before use.
• Medical devices: BP monitor, digital thermometer, pulse oximeter, glucometer (if diabetic).
• Field medical reference: up-to-date manual (e.g., Wilderness Medicine), and training in trauma & prolonged care.

8) Communications — shortwave, ham radio & backups

• Baiting shortwave / walkie talkie (handheld HAM/GMRS/FRS as applicable): 2+ handhelds with extra batteries.
• Ham radio base station (HF + VHF/UHF):
   
  • HF transceiver (capable of 20m/40m/80m etc.) and VHF/UHF transceiver for local comms.
  • Antennas (HF dipole/vertical + VHF/UHF antenna), coax, mounts, and grounding kit.
  • Power supply (deep cycle battery or DC power supply), spare fuses, SWR meter, tuner.
  • Spare microphone, spare antenna coax connectors, soldering kit, spare coax.
• Licensing & skills:
   
  • Obtain required FCC amateur radio license (Technician, General, Extra as needed). Carry printed license; keep ENCs of callsigns and contact lists.
  • Working knowledge of Morse code as requested (practice materials, key/paddles, learning app).
• Alternate comms: GMRS license if you intend to use GMRS repeaters (as applicable), CB radio for short-range, and satellite messenger (SPOT/ Garmin inReach) as last resort.
• Hand-crank & solar phone charging devices:
   
  • Hand crank phone charger (rated output) AND solar USB panel + power bank (high-capacity LiFePO4 recommended).
  • Spare charging cables and small waterproof power pouches.

Note: Follow legal regulations — do not transmit on licensed bands without the proper FCC license.

9) Power & energy

• Solar generator (portable) + panels (specify wattage by household needs). Include charge controller and mounting hardware.
• Gasoline generator: sized for essential loads (fridge, some outlets). Store fuel safely in approved containers (rotate stock; use stabilizer).
• Battery bank / deep cycle (LiFePO4 or AGM) and inverter for 120V loads.
• Spare fuses, fuel filters, oil, basic generator servicing kit.
• Manual alternatives: hand-crank radio/charger, propane camping stove, gas grill (outdoor use only).

10) Tools, cooking & refrigeration

• Manual can opener, cast iron pans, dutch oven, pressure canner, food dehydrator.
• Cold storage: chest freezer with generator backup (prioritize emptying to essentials; conserve fuel).
• Butchering tools (see section below).

11) Hunting & humane butchering (legal & safety-first)

• Legal hunting license(s) for local area and tags as required.
• Hunting equipment: shotgun/rifle appropriate for local game (obtain legally, stored safely), ammunition (rotate), bow & arrows as non-powder option if trained and permitted.
• Butchering & processing kit:
   
  • Sharp boning & skinning knives, bone saw, gambrel, meat hooks, game bags.
  • Large coolers, ice, sanitizer, disposable gloves, cutting boards.
  • Meat storage plan: freezer space or curing/canning supplies.
• Training: take a local butchery class or learn from an experienced, legal source — no procedural step-by-step butchery instructions here; get hands-on training.
• [ ] Game processing reference book and sanitary supplies.

12) Defense & security (legal, non-actionable guidance)

I’ll keep this high level and focused on legal and safety items:

• Legal defensive means appropriate to your local laws (e.g., defensive firearms if you legally own them, training certificates, safe storage with quick access).
• Non-lethal options: pepper spray (where legal), security lights, reinforced doors/locks, reinforced safe for valuables, alarm system, motion cameras (battery/solar).
• Training: firearms safety & marksmanship courses, de-escalation and home defense planning, legal education about use-of-force in your jurisdiction.
• Secure storage: locked cabinets or safes for weapons and ammo, separate from family areas; make sure keys/combinations are in your emergency envelope.
• Situational planning: neighborhood mutual-aid watch, pre-planned escape or shelter-in-place routes.
• Avoid giving or seeking instructions that facilitate violent wrongdoing. Focus on safety, legal compliance, and training.

13) Clothing, shelter & sanitation

• Weather-appropriate clothing, layered system, sturdy boots, gloves.
• Sleeping bags rated for cold, emergency blankets.
• Sanitation: portable toilet, 30-day supply of toilet paper, feminine hygiene, bleach for disinfecting, trash bags, septic plan.
• Hygiene: soap, toothbrushes, feminine supplies, baby supplies if needed.

14) Tools, repair & maintenance

• Multi-tool, fixed knives, hand saw, axe, sledge, shovel, pry bar.
• Spare hardware: nails, screws, duct tape, tarps, rope/cordage, zip ties.
• Mechanical: vehicle spare parts (belts, fuses), tire repair kit, jumper cables.

15) Information, education & records

• Printed manuals: radio band plans & quick cheat sheets, first aid/wilderness medicine, animal husbandry, garden planting calendar.
• Map(s) of local area, topography, water sources, and alternate routes.
• Contact list of medical providers, vets, local ham operators, and nearby neighbors willing to assist.

16) Packing & storage suggestions

• Keep a primary bug-in location stock and a smaller grab-and-go kit (72-hour) if/when you must relocate temporarily.
• Rotate food, water, fuel and meds on a routine schedule (monthly calendar reminders).
• Label everything with purchase/open dates.

Quick “One-month starter” checklist (compact)

• 60 gallons water per person stored (30 gal drinking + 30 gal cooking/hygiene).
• Primary gravity filter + 1 personal filter per person + UV pen + tablets.
• 1,000 USD in small bills (see packing options).
• Ham radio base station + antennas + FCC license documents + practice key for Morse.
• 2+ handheld radios (GMRS/FRS/Ham) with spare batteries.
• Hand-crank charger + solar panels + portable solar generator + gas generator + fuel (rotated).
• One month of food emphasizing animal protein plus seeds for garden.
• Chicken coop basics & feed for at least one month of eggs.
• Year supply of legally prescribed meds + OTC meds + telemedicine subscription.
• Butchering kit (knives, saw, coolers) & training plan.
• 3–5 named mutual-aid contacts with agreed roles.
• Security measures: legal defensive tools, training & secure storage.

Safety & legal reminders (important)

• Do not transmit on amateur bands without an FCC license. Obtain the license legally and carry documentation.
• For prescription meds and antiparasitics (ivermectin, fenbendazole, mebendazole): obtain legally and follow medical advice. I can’t help with dosing instructions here — consult a clinician and follow local law.
• For firearms and hunting: follow all local/state/national laws for purchase, storage, licensing, and use. Get certified training.
• When constructing rain catchment, coop, or generators, check local building/health codes.