What kind of information are you looking for ajmudie?

Ideas for a kit in the city and bug out bug/kit

Your bugout kit will be similar to any other, whether you're in the city or otherwise. Its not enough to just have a kit by the front door and think you're 'prepared' though. I also live in the city, and my biggest prep was getting to know the roads leading out of the city, high traffic areas, and having a plan to get out safely, low key, and quickly. That said, depending on the situation, my aim is to bug in for as long as I can, before bugging out.

Hey all,

I've been a closet prepper for a couple of years, this is my first post here (and I was prompted to post "something" to keep my account active before the spam-cleaner kicks in).

Anyway, I live in a city (Ottawa)... and while I don't (yet) have a property or location to bug out *to*, I've been putting a lot of thought into what should be in a bugout bag or survival kit. I think it's helpful to look at it from both a "threats" perspective and from a categories perspective.

In terms of threats one could anticipate when some "event" happens: no water, no heat, no electric, no gas stations, no ATMs, truck-supplied stores that would quickly run out of food/water-bottles/drugs/supplies/etc., defense against home invasion, self-defense when out and about, etc. So, this makes me think of how I could stock up on basics, where in the city I would *quickly* have to go to get essentials before the supply ran out, what can substitute as cash (bartering items), and how to protect myself and my property if I didn't really have a place to bug out to.

As for categories, my research has helped me put together the following prioritized list of *categories*, under each of which there would be at least a few specific items. It starts with
a good backpack -- Quality you're able to afford, with zippered compartments and attachment points, something that doesn't stand out (not camo or tactical), that's big enough to hold your gear but manageable enough to avoid overpacking, i.e. no more than 25% of your body-weight (a rule of thumb I came across once).

Then, the priorities:
-Water -- A couple of bottles for immediate use, then at least one means of purifying your own water thereafter (filter system, tablets).
-Food/Cooking -- Ready-to-eat food (energy-dense e.g. energy-bars, nut butter, honey, canned fish), and some means of finding/making/wildcrafting/hunting/preparing your own food (a foraging guide, bare-basic fishing/hunting/trapping gear, salt/spices, collapsible cook-stove that can burn sticks, can-opener, foil, ziplock bags, maybe seeds, etc.)
-Clothing -- Seasonally-appropriate, layering-compatible, good coverage, extra underwear/socks, hat/gloves, bandanna/shemagh... you know, but don't go overboard.
-Sleeping/Shelter -- Consider both bug-in (e.g. house with no heat) and bug-out (on-foot/camping) scenarios.
-Light -- Good-quality flashlights (both big and small), headlamp, candles/tealights.
-Fire -- Multiple sources (lighters, matches, ferrocerium rod/steel, magnifying glass, fire-piston, etc.). Practice and get proficient at using all of them, and pack some good tinder materials too for easier lighting. Even learn how to make/use a hand-drill or bow-drill (again, practice!) Extra lighters are primo bartering items, fyi.
-Tools -- Multi-tool, knives (fixed/folding, big/small), sharpening stone, hand chainsaw (read online reviews to pick a good one), 550-paracord (real, not fake), machete, scissors, duct tape, sewing kit, gear-repair kit (adhesives/patches/clips/straps/safety-pins).
-Weapons (take it or leave it) -- Knives, guns + ammo (commonly-used cartridges are a safer bet, future supply-wise), tactical pen, dog-spray, slingshot + shot, etc.
-Hygiene -- Staying clean means staying healthy! Tooth-care, soap, shampoo/conditioner (e.g.2-in-1), comb, facecloth, small towel, toilet paper (no substitute!), etc.
-First Aid -- A good first-aid kit. Become very familiar with all the contents, or put one together yourself based on lists of recc. items. You might need to treat any of the following: cuts/bleeding, burns, sprains, fractures/breaks, blisters, eye injury, stings/bites, infection, fever/flu, etc.) Basic OTC and any prescription drugs, too (incl. painkillers, antihistamines, hydrocortisone cream, birth control, vitamins, cold meds, itch-relief cream, etc.) Also nitrile gloves, and alcohol (to sterilize wounds/instruments).
-Protective Gear -- Sunscreen, insect repellant, bug-net for head (summer), sunglasses, protective glasses/goggles, work/safety gloves... Mask? (depending on threats)
Miscellaneous - Money, passport, personal documents (and/or a photocopy of them, photographs of friends/family/group members, phone/address/contact list for family/friends, USB stick, spare car-/house-keys, bartering items (e.g. silver coins, lighters, food/snacks, tobacco, liquor, OTC drugs/medicines, small tools, hygiene items, batteries... the smaller and lighter-weight this stuff is, the better), pen/pencil + paper/pad, pencil-sharpener, decks of cards, a small book or two (with critical info or for morale, but books are heavy!)
-Navigation -- Compass (know how to use it, though!), appropriate maps, backroads mapbook, GPS (may or may not be useful), star-charts? Just don't put all your faith in your phone or a GPS.
-Communication/Reconnaissance -- Cell-phone, 2-way radios, Compact quality binoculars, hand-crank radio.
-Rescue/Escape -- Whistle, signal mirror, stick-/aerial flares, a small/concealed sharp.
-Power -- Solar power system, rechargeable batteries of suitable sizes/types + charger, spare/backup (alkaline) batteries for all essential devices (flashlights, radios, phone, etc.)

Well... that's more detail than I thought I'd get into, but as long as you think about each category you'll be able to fill them in to suit your needs and situation. The key points to a BOB or home survival kit are to cover the essentials, give yourself the means to get by when things are less than ideal, enable/empower you to adapt to situations and find/make what you need but don't have, and keep you alive and safe. But you need to become familiar with each and every item in the kit - to know that it's there, know how to use it, and know how to dig it out quickly. Keep an inventory list of your household kit or bug-out bag somewhere handy, to help you.

I'm no expert, but that's what I've got so far. Good luck.

Don