What kind of backpack, what is it for and what we put inside
WHAT IS AN EMERGENCY OR SURVIVAL BACKPACK
An emergency backpack (also called BOB, (Bug out Gag) that is bag to get away with it, or “72 hour bag”) is a sturdy and comfortable backpack to carry which, in general, must contain everything you need to be autonomous for at least three days. A camping backpack for how it is structured could be ideal.
Let’s not forget that each person has different needs to satisfy, so an object of this type can never be the same for everyone. However, the concept is the same and the name says it all. In fact, in the event of an emergency, obviously you will not have the time to retrieve everything you need. The best thing is therefore to prepare it in advance and keep it ready for an unexpected event that we hope will never happen.
Inside there will be all the supplies needed to meet the needs and requirements for at least 3 days. Do not forget to include your identification documents, any medical prescriptions and some cash. It is possible to create survival backpacks for longer periods, also customizing them according to needs.
WHAT TO PUT IN THE EMERGENCY BACKPACK
But what should we put inside it? Making a precise list of every single element is unthinkable given the different needs of each of us. What is certain is that the most important things must be present inside the emergency backpack. Let’s see what they are:
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WATER
it goes without saying that water is essential in any survival situation. Water is in fact the most precious of all goods. A liter of water per day per person is the bare minimum, so the backpack must contain at least three liters; we recommend that you consider 5 liters of water or more for the three days. The ideal would be to have a water purification system to ensure a continuous supply. There are several types of portable purification kits on the market. We recommend that you read our article How to make water drinkable.
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FOOD
for a period of three days, ready meals and energy tablets are sufficient. These are dehydrated meals to which you usually just need to add boiling water. They are lightweight and last a long time. Obviously, long-life canned foods are ideal even if they increase the weight of the backpack.
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CLOTHING
as far as this aspect is concerned, the survival backpack is very similar to a “classic” backpack and should contain: a pair of sturdy boots or shoes; a pair of long pants (preferably not jeans); 2 pairs of socks (preferably not cotton); 2 shirts (one long-sleeved and one short-sleeved, to wear them in layers); a warm, waterproof jacket; warm underwear; a hat; a bandana, it may sound strange but a bandana can be used for countless things. Obviously, the above list applies to a 3-day backpack. Nothing prevents you from putting on a greater number of clothes. However, it is necessary to carefully evaluate the aspects related to the climate of the area in which we find ourselves by inserting seasonal clothes in the emergency backpack.
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PERSONAL HYGIENE
a mini kit for personal hygiene stored in a bag with an emertica closure. This type of closure allows you to keep the contents dry even in case of rain. The kit must contain at least: mini-toothbrush, mini-toothpaste, Sun protection, waterless hand sanitizer, dental floss, mini-deodorant, at least one roll of toilet paper, wet wipes.
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YOU NEED TO HAVE A REFUGE – SHELTER FROM THE WEATHER
- a protection from the elements and the necessary to have a warm and dry place to sleep it is always good to put it in the emergency backpack. To have adequate shelter, the backpack must contain:
- some type of tent or sheet and an anchoring system;
a ground cloth to put on the floor of the shelter to keep it dry (very important);
sleeping bags, preferably of good quality.
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FIRST AID BOX
- it is a fundamental element that must always be present inside the emergency backpack. First aid kits can be purchased ready-made or prepared at home. Our advice is to insert inside them elements that can really be useful and to remove the superfluous and useless things.
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BASIC OBJECTS – WHAT MUST ALWAYS BE PRESENT
- in addition to what was said above, we must also have the necessary for special situations inside. Specifically, there must also be:
- rainwear: a poncho or a raincoat, plus the tent, of course;
to light a fire: a lighter, a flint, at least a box of lighters. A hacksaw for cutting wood is useful if not essential;
for cooking: the bare minimum. A saucepan or large bowl to boil water, also useful for sterilizing drinking water;
to illuminate: hand crank or battery operated flashlights. In the second case, make sure you have a good reserve of charged batteries for each of the torches;
a knife: it is the most used and versatile tool of the survival backpack. So choose carefully the knife you will need to buy. A multipurpose knife can be ideal.
There is another type of emergency backpack, however, designed for civil protection rescuers who act on large-scale emergencies such as earthquakes and floods. We will show this type of backpack in the specific course.
Comfortable spare clothes
![12799108_1646545522264451_9197226691767479482_n](https://esculapiani.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/12799108_1646545522264451_9197226691767479482_n-150x150.jpg)
Water 500cl
![WhatsApp Image 2022-09-11 at 16.53.08](https://esculapiani.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WhatsApp-Image-2022-09-11-at-16.53.08-150x150.jpeg)
Long-life food
![20180418-cibo-in-scatola](https://esculapiani.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20180418-cibo-in-scatola-150x150.jpg)
Tissues
![WhatsApp Image 2022-09-11 at 17.18.00](https://esculapiani.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WhatsApp-Image-2022-09-11-at-17.18.00-150x150.jpeg)
In a backpack can be put many products, accessories, objects
very important, obviously based on the size of the bag a priority must be given. A larger bag, or maybe 2 different backpacks, can contain:
– a radio with a small solar panel, or a dynamo or simply (separate) batteries to listen to the news from the radio in the event of an earthquake or large-scale disaster.
– filter tube to filter drinking water from dirty water such as streams, puddles, sea, etc.
– copies of documents, keys.
– medications such as pain relievers, acetaminophen, brufen or aspirin.
– old generation mobile phone (without digital screen but with keyboard).
– FIRST AID KIT
– mask with filters for contaminated air