Dash Bugout Bag: A Comprehensive Guide

A dash bugout bag is a portable collection of essential items designed to help you survive for at least 72 hours in case of an emergency or disaster.

The Dash Bugout Bag is designed to be lightweight and compact, weighing in at just 5 pounds, making it easy to carry on the go.

It's essential to customize your bugout bag to fit your individual needs and the specific risks in your area, such as earthquakes or hurricanes.

A typical bugout bag should include a minimum of three days' worth of non-perishable food, such as energy bars and dried fruit.

For a dash bugout, it's essential to have the right gear and equipment. Pack a portable water filter, such as a LifeStraw, to ensure access to clean drinking water in emergency situations.

The right clothing can make a big difference in a bugout scenario. Wear layers of moisture-wicking clothing to stay dry and comfortable.

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A backpack with multiple compartments is a must-have for organizing gear. Look for one with a capacity of at least 30 liters.

A first aid kit is a crucial item to include in your bugout gear. Pack bandages, antiseptic wipes, and pain relievers to treat minor injuries.

A reliable means of communication is vital in a bugout situation. Bring a handheld two-way radio, such as a Baofeng UV-5R, to stay in touch with family members and other bugout groups.

A bugout bag should also include a multi-tool, like a Leatherman Wave, to help with various tasks.

Water is a critical component of any dash bugout plan, and it's essential to have a sufficient supply on hand. FEMA recommends at least a half gallon of water per person per day for emergency preparedness purposes.

For a bug-out bag, it's recommended to carry at least 1 liter (about ¼ gallon) of water per day for proper hydration. Creek Stewart suggests this amount is a good starting point, but you may need to consider additional water for hygiene and weather conditions.

You should always carry water in multiple containers in case you lose or break one. This is especially important if you're planning to be on foot, as it makes it easier to distribute the weight of your pack.

Experts agree that a metal bottle is a good choice for durability, and a collapsible bottle is a good secondary option to save space in your pack.

In an emergency situation, it's a good idea to have a way to filter found water, such as a portable water filter. The Sawyer Mini is a popular and reliable option that filters out bacteria and protozoa.

A warm and safe shelter is crucial in a dash bugout situation. For emergency warmth and comfort, consider a lightweight backup option, such as an emergency blanket, thermal bivvy, or reflective blanket.

These items can be used in a variety of situations, from a few hours of sleep in the car to evacuating on foot and camping out. They're also essential for adding warmth and comfort if you end up in an emergency shelter.

The UST Survival Blanket 2.0 is a great option for warmth and shelter, as it's made of plastic, but has a more clothlike feel than other emergency blankets. It's also durable enough to serve as a makeshift sleeping pad or shelter, and has large grommets for securing it with rope.

In emergency situations, a warm blanket can be a lifesaver. You should consider including a lightweight backup option for warmth and shelter in your ready bag.

A good starting point is to include an emergency blanket, which can be used to reflect heat and provide some protection from the elements. These blankets are essentially plastic tarps with a foil facing on one side, making them more durable than Mylar blankets.

For added warmth, a thermal bivvy is a great option. It's lightweight, compact, and can be used in a variety of situations, from camping to emergency shelter.

In extreme cases, a reflective blanket can be used to collect rainwater or create a makeshift tent. The UST Survival Blanket 2.0 is a great option for this, with its large grommets and clothlike feel making it easy to set up and use.

A good emergency blanket should be large enough to completely surround you, and the UST Survival Blanket 2.0 is one of the largest models available, measuring 7 by 5 feet. It's also quiet and easy to fold up, making it a great choice for emergency situations.

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A lightweight blanket can be a lifesaver in an emergency situation. It's a good idea to keep one in your car or ready bag.

A lightweight emergency blanket is little more than a thin piece of plastic foil that reflects your body heat back at you. They're pretty flimsy, but inexpensive and compact.

The Titan Emergency Survival Blanket is a top pick for its large size, measuring 90 by 70 inches. This makes it the largest one we looked at and the only one capable of fully enveloping a 6-foot-5 adult in a crouching position.

You can easily stock up on four or five of these lightweight emergency blankets, which are often included in first aid kits. First responders also use them.

These blankets are not durable, but they're inexpensive and compact, making them a good option for emergency situations.

When you're in a survival situation, you'll want to conserve your water supply for drinking and cooking. Using baby wipes for personal hygiene is a great way to keep yourself clean without wasting water.

Seventh Generation Free & Clear Baby Wipes are a good choice because they're cheap, plentiful, and effective for emergency situations. They're also premoistened and made as individual sheets, making them easy to use and dispose of.

Some people might think baby wipes are too soft for emergency use, but that's actually a benefit. They're better suited for tougher cleaning tasks, like wiping off grime or dirt.

In an emergency, every little bit of water counts, and using baby wipes can help you stretch your supply.

Having a reliable way to start a fire can be a lifesaver in a survival situation. Simple is better: a few inexpensive Bic lighters and some stormproof matches will do the job.

Ferrocerium fire strikers offer nearly unlimited fire-starting capability, but they require practice and skill to use successfully. The Friendly Swede's Emergency Easy Grip Firestarter is a good option if you're interested in strikers.

It's worth noting that most fire-starting gear is compact, lightweight, and inexpensive, so it shouldn't be a burden to carry a couple of different types.

When building a dash bugout bag, food is a crucial consideration. You don't need large meals or elaborate cooking setups, as this can add unnecessary weight and slow you down.

Weight is critical because you may end up on foot. Survivalist Creek Stewart agrees, emphasizing the importance of being able to eat on-the-go.

For a 72-hour time frame, keep things light and simple. This is wise for other reasons too, like being able to move quickly and efficiently.

You can eat on-the-go, rather than spending too much time preparing meals.

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Having a reliable light source is crucial during a disaster, and flashlights are a must-have in your dash bugout bag. The ThruNite Archer 2A V3 is a top-notch flashlight that offers high-end features at an entry-level price.

It has several brightness settings, including a firefly mode that's just bright enough to read a map while preserving your night vision. This feature is especially useful in emergency situations.

A good flashlight can also serve as a light source for a longer period, as the ThruNite Archer 2A V3 can last for 28 days on the lowest setting. It's essential to keep a spare set of AA batteries in your bag to ensure it keeps working.

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It's essential to have reliable lighting options in your ready bag, especially during extended power outages that often accompany major natural disasters.

Flashlights are a great starting point, as they're widely recommended in most ready-bag rundowns. A good flashlight can light up trees 500 feet away.

Headlamps are also useful due to their hands-free nature, making them ideal for navigating in the dark. They're a great alternative to lanterns, which are often bulky.

Glow sticks are another inexpensive option that doesn't require a power source, making them a great backup choice. They're a good option for emergency situations where batteries might be scarce.

The ThruNite Archer 2A V3 is a top-notch flashlight that offers high-end features at an entry-level price. It has several brightness settings, including a firefly mode that preserves your night vision.

A reliable weather radio can be a lifesaver during emergencies. The Midland ER210 is a great option, offering excellent reception and NOAA early-warning notifications.

This radio is durable and compact, making it perfect for a go bag. It's about 33% smaller than other weather radios, taking up less space.

The ER210's hand crank is a game-changer, effectively reviving the radio when the battery runs out. Just one minute of cranking produces 10 minutes of radio time or a few minutes of flashlight use.

NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards broadcasts local weather updates and emergency information 24/7. You can only hear these broadcasts if you have a radio that can tune to the weather bands.

The ER210 receives NOAA weather-band alerts, providing loud notifications so you won't miss any warnings. This is crucial for staying safe during emergencies.

A multi-tool is a must-have in any dash bag, and the Leatherman Skeletool CX is a top choice. It's a compact and versatile tool that includes pliers, a bit driver, a pocket clip, and a carabiner/bottle opener.

The Shoreline Marine Emergency Survival Whistle is a cheap but effective option that can cut through ambient noise and be heard from a half mile away. This whistle is a game-changer in emergency situations.

In an emergency, a few all-purpose tools and supplies can help you handle the unexpected. A multi-tool, with its small knife and pliers, gives you the ability to cut rope, do light food prep, or make small fixes.

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The Rush72 is a top-notch emergency bag that's worth considering. It's loaded with 27 distinct pockets or compartments to store emergency gear, making it easy to access everything you need.

The Rush72 is more durable and comfortable than some of the other bags we tested, and its organization system is unbeatable. Each category of gear, like food, water, and first aid, has its own pocket or area.

If you're willing to invest more, the Rush72 is a great choice. It's more expensive than some of the other bags, but it's worth it for the extra storage and organization options.

Here are some key features of the Rush72:

The Rush72 usually costs more than $250, but it's worth considering if you want a high-quality emergency bag.

First aid and hygiene are critical in disaster scenarios, when the risk of infection from unsanitary conditions can be high right as professional help is scarce.

A ready bag should include the key supplies for you to quickly clean yourself up, handle minor injuries, and dispose of unwanted items in a sanitary way. Daily-hygiene items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, and deodorant are also strongly recommended.

The First Aid Only 299 Piece All-Purpose First Aid Kit is a great option for minor scrapes, cuts, and burns. It's organized and comes with a nice first aid booklet.

It typically sells for around $20 and offers a wide array of bandages, gauze, wipes, ointments, painkillers, and other first aid gear. The kit also comes with a comprehensive 37-page booklet on how to administer emergency first aid.

The First Aid Only kit has far more adhesive bandages (187) compared to the Adventure Medical Kits Adventure First Aid 2.0 (44).

Having a pair of gloves in your emergency supply bag is a wise idea, especially if you need to move storm debris off a road.

These lightweight gloves protect your hands without sacrificing manual dexterity.

The Custom Leathercraft 124 Flex Grip WorkRight Gloves are a great option, made of a hybrid of synthetic leather and spandex that stays cooler and offers greater manual dexterity.

Doug, a construction worker with 10 years of experience, recommends these gloves for their durability, but notes they might only last a couple of months with daily use.

A Velcro wrist strap ensures a snug fit with the Custom Leathercraft gloves, making it easier to perform precise tasks like tying a knot or zipping up your backpack.

These gloves are available in medium, large, and extra large sizes, and are a low-cost option for your emergency supply bag.

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In an emergency situation, having a reliable way to charge your cell phone is crucial. Many weather radios come with USB ports that you can use to charge your phone even when the power is out.

A simple whistle is an inexpensive yet very effective way to signal other people. It cuts through ambient noise far better than a yell.

The Shoreline Marine Emergency Survival Whistle is a top choice for its value and performance. It registered an ear-splitting 101.1 decibels and can be heard over a half mile of calm water.

A whistle is a must-have in any emergency kit, and it's especially useful over water or in the woods.

A multi-tool is a must-have for any emergency situation, as it can help you handle the unexpected. A multi-tool like the Skeletool CX has all the essential implements you'll need, but it's also easy to carry and use.

The Leatherman Skeletool CX is a standout multi-tool that focuses on functionality and construction. It includes pliers, a bit driver, a pocket clip, and a carabiner/bottle opener.

In an emergency, a multi-tool can help you make small fixes, such as to a busted backpack zipper. The Skeletool CX also has a high-quality, 2.6-inch 154CM carbon-fiber stainless steel blade that you can deploy with one hand.

A multi-tool can be a game-changer in an emergency situation, but it's not the only tool you'll need. A length of rope, like paracord, can be useful for tasks like tying supplies together or creating splints and tourniquets.

Paracord is ideal for an emergency-supply bag, and 550 paracord is the most universal thickness. It consists of a nylon sheath with seven nylon strands inside, each made up of three smaller strands twisted together.

The Titan SurvivorCord is a strong nylon rope that's worth the investment. It has a unique feature of having a fishing line, a small wire, and a strand of waxed jute within the nylon sheath, which can help start a fire or provide other benefits in an emergency situation.

In addition to the essentials, there are some other useful items you should consider packing in your emergency bag. Duct tape is a must-have, as it can be used for a variety of tasks, from fixing broken items to securing loose ends.

Sunscreen is a great addition to your emergency bag, especially if you live in an area with high sun exposure. It's also a good idea to pack bug repellent to keep those pesky insects at bay.

If you have family members, it's a good idea to include photos of them in your emergency bag. This can help with identification if people become separated, and make sure to update kids' photos each year.

Cash is also a good item to include, as you never know when you might need it. And don't forget to pack a small first aid kit with essentials like bandanas and sunglasses.

If you have prescription medications or glasses, be sure to pack those as well. And if you're a woman, consider packing tampons, pads, or a menstrual cup.

Here are some other items you might find useful to include in your emergency bag:

We're always looking for ways to improve and expand our knowledge on emergency preparedness tools and accessories. One area we're excited to explore further is preassembled kits, which can be a convenient option for those who want a ready-to-go solution.

Instinct Ready is a company that caught our attention, founded by two active EMT workers with a strong emphasis on education and customization. Their U-Pak Survival System bags are definitely worth checking out.