The potential for disaster is always looming, and it’s important to be prepared. Preppers rely on bug out bags as a way of ensuring they will have the supplies necessary if an emergency situation occurs. 

A well-organized bug out bag can make all the difference in an evacuation scenario; however, many preppers are unsure how to organize a bug out bag. In this article, we’ll discuss exactly how to organize a bugout bag so that you’re ready when SHTF (Sh*t Hits The Fan). 

With just one look at your news feed, it may seem like both natural disasters and civil unrest could happen any second – no matter where you live! 

That’s why having a reliable survival plan in place is essential – especially one with its very own dedicated ‘bug out’ bag packed full of essential items designed specifically for surviving during times of crisis or unexpected emergencies. Keep reading to learn more about properly organizing your BOB (Bug Out Bag)!

But, before you jump into this post, please check out how to build the perfect bug out bag (bug out bag checklist) – this will give you additional solid foundations.

Let’s dive right in.

Storage Containers

The best bug out bag is an organized bug out bag. Here’s how to organize your survival kit for optimal emergency preparedness:

1. Ziploc

The most crucial containers are zipper bags, such as ZipLoc sealed kitchen bags. These are fantastic since they come in various sizes and are waterproof.

We recommend bringing lighters, electronics, multi-tools, tinder, matches, medical supplies, and anything else you don’t want to get wet in them. The disadvantage is that they are easily punctured.

However, because they are lightweight, compact, and affordable, you can easily keep more than enough in your bug out bag if you require more. They’re also transparent, so you don’t have to label or open them to see what’s inside, though labeling can’t hurt!

If you don’t have a Ziloc bag, a garbage bag can suffice, but a smaller bag is optimal.

2. Altoid Tins

Altoid tins are also excellent options, as they are also a somewhat waterproof container. They are incredibly light and compact. Use them to store items such as fishing hooks, needles, sewing kits, and so forth. Again, we recommend putting the products in zipper bags to keep them safe from the weather. 

Altoid tins may be used for various survival purposes, such as pieces for a compact cooking stove, an emergency signal mirror, a solar emergency radio, and so on.

3. Food Containers & Pelican Cases

If you’re willing to pay a little more money, there’s no better option than a watertight, shock-absorbing Pelican mini case. All of them are available on Amazon for a reasonable price. The primary disadvantage here is the price, as it’s more expensive compared to alternatives.

This may soon add up if you acquire a couple of them. If cost is a significant factor for you, the various more cost-effective types of food containers will do.

Bug Out Bag Organization Basics

Bag Grouping

This is the first and most basic method to organize your bug out bag. Grouping has a lot of uses – and this is one of them.

For the basics for organizing your bug out bag, you should firstly:

1. Sort the contents of your backpack into logical groupings.
2. Place each group in a container described above.

It’s essential to pick the right size sack for each group to maximize space efficiency. The bug out bag should be divided into 5-7, or maybe a few smaller kits, each section based on function.

Each kit comes in its own dry bag, making it more comfortable, water-resistant, and simple to identify the contents of each. I reccomend one of these sections being the emergency supply section.

Bag Exterior

Next, you have to consider what goes outside your bug out bag. This is an area for easy access supplies. It would be best if you kept everything you require rapid access to inside the outer pockets of your tactical backpack. 

A first-aid kit is one such example. You should also have a survival knife and a lantern or headlamp on hand as well as other gear.

We recommend having these goods readily accessible on the exterior of your bug out bag and firmly securing them with the hooks and straps on your bag. Carabiner clips, a tool common on military bags, are also quite handy for tying your belongings to your bag so that you can easily and quickly access them. 

Bag Weight Distribution

Bugging out could mean really long walks and making your backpack feel less heavy will help you a lot.

When it comes to the containers that are put inside the backpack, the idea is to disperse their weight while keeping your back in mind. If you place them at random, you will put extra strain on your back, slowing you down and maybe resulting in back pain or damage.

We follow the rule of thumb of placing the heaviest survival item closest to your spine to not feel like the entire bag is pushing away from you. You can prioritize where things go much better if you keep in mind the stuff you’ll need to access more than others.

Bug out Bag Tips & Tricks

These emergency prep tips and tricks will help you a lot in a survival sitation:

1. Items should be organized into kits based on their function, such as a fire-making kit, a sleeping kit, a cooking kit, and so on.
2. Once you’ve stocked up your evacuation kits, go through them once a year to ensure everyone knows what goes where. You might discover that your needs have changed and that the snack bars at the bottom of your emergency bag are no longer adequate!
3. Practice getting out all tools in your bug out bag frequently.
4. Practice using every tool in your bug out bag. Otherwise, it will be useless to you.
5. The good news is that you do not have to perfect your bug out bag organization overnight. This will allow you to stretch out the initial expense, making it less intimidating, and allow for more mindful testing and improvement.

Last Words

Most preppers update and enhance the contents of their bug out bag over time, experimenting to see what works best for them. And you should to. Packing, repacking, trial fitting for comfort, and a few kilometers on the trails are all part of the testing process.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for what you’ll do, so the wisest thing you can do right now is experiment and find what works best.

What works for one individual may not work for another. The crucial thing is that it works for you and that you have availability to what you require when it matters most.

Here are some more resources you may want.

• How to Build a Bug out Bag for Perfect Balance
• Ultra-Light Bug Out Bag: Tips to Cut Out Weight
• Urban Survival Skills List [25 Skills You Should Know]

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