Hope I'm not breaking any rules resurrecting this older thread, but there are some really great lists on here that have definitely helped my wife and I with out prepping. We just finished getting some more stuff for our bags. We currently have two small duffel-type bags with a shoulder strap each with our bug-out items. Everything inside is contained within ziplock storage bags in case of water. (Catastrophic floods are not uncommon in our part of Texas.)
Both my wife's bag and my bag each have:
2 liters bottled water
2 freeze-dried meals
Rope
Notebook and pencil
Compact mirror
Permanent markers
Candles of a few sizes, lighters, and matches
2 flashlights, one of which is crank-operated
Sunscreen
Floss
Travel tissue
Firestarter bricks (HEB brand but work very well in my experience)
Gloves and a hat
Bandanas
Toothbrush and toothpaste, travel size
My bag also contains:
Spare glasses (can't see a lick without my spectacles)
Extra batteries
My paperback copies of Dune and Ender's Game (personally inspiring, and a lot of Dune is about survival)
My wife's bag also contains:
First aid kit
Extra ziplocks
We've also got a backpack that I can carry that is more tactically themed:
Steel handcuffs
Permanent markers
Mini led flashlight
Large Mag-light (it's usable as a club)
Multi-tool
Two small mirrors
Ankle brace (I have a bad ankle)
Multitool
Ammo for our 9mm, 38 special, .22, .223, and .177 hunting pellets. (We're not looking to start any trouble with anyone but I'll damn sure finish it if someone else tries anything.)
We need more multitools, clothing, knives, water filtration, a small stove, and I want some tactical gear for our weapons and magazines. I figure if we open carry our firepower, people are more likely to pass us by than mistake us for easy targets.
The idea behind multiple bags is that we may be separated but we are planning on doing all we can to meet up if SHTF. We each have essentials, and then I have some of the heavier non-essentials and the tactical backpack because it will limit my mobility less. I'm all about being able to move if you need to. We're also going to prepare a larger bag with sleeping bags, more clothing, food etc with the understanding that depending on the situation, we may not be able to take it.
I'm sure there's plenty else we're still needing but it's an ongoing project. I am so open to feedback it's not funny; kinda why I joined to be honest. It's community that leads to survival.
