Prepping your go-bag for a bad day.

Shit Just Got Real!

Prepper, survivalist, bushcrafter… nutcase, crazy person, paranoid schizo – we go by many names to the general population. Anyone who has taken the time to pull together some things for when the shit hits the proverbial fan and set them aside “just in case” knows the stigma that surrounds us. Even some of our closest friends and family consider us a little “off”.

Know what, though? I’m cool with that.

Sure, the chances of things getting bad enough that we’d have to evacuate our homes altogether may be slim in the first world, but, if that day ever arrives, those same people that called us crazy will surely be the ones to regret making fun of us – until they join the ranks of the flesh eating hordes, that is. While the devastation of society’s downfall will no doubt be a bitch for everyone, we can at least provide ourselves with the maximum chance of survival with minimal effort and financial investment.

In the coming months, we’ll be exploring several different types of survival. I hope to cover everything from solo running to escaping and sustaining a family group. We’ll talk about group roles and dynamics for those that end up with other survivors (because we all know there’s an asshole in every group), and we’ll cover the other obvious threats to our survival in this new landscape - the dead, raiders, corrupt government officials, starvation, dehydration, exhaustion, hypo/hyperthermia,  et al.

Today, we’ll begin with what needs to happen before it all goes down. One of the most important things to have in your car and/or home to ensure a good head start is a comprehensive “Bug-Out Bag” or “Go Bag”.

Now, there are hundreds of thousands of gear combinations and only you will know what is best for your needs and abilities. Guns, ammo, and shit like that aren’t always available in every country that will be reading this and, while I most certainly will be covering those things in the future, today is just about basics. These are things that everyone needs out in the wild, no exceptions. If you’re human, these things will be paramount to thriving outside of your comfort zone.

Note: It is always prudent to keep the fuel tank in your vehicle (should you have one) at around a quarter tank, bare minimum. Not always possible, but a good general rule of thumb. For this section, though, we will assume there are already road closures, jammed highways, and mile-long lines at the gas stations. You’re leaving and you’re doing it on foot, which is also a good reason to keep your fat ass in shape. The dead won’t get tired, but you sure as shit will.

You are officially a runner. Whatever it is that’s causing the dead to walk is extremely virulent and your local authorities will no doubt be setting perimeters, road blocks, etc in an effort to contain the problem. As hysteria reaches a breaking point, looting and riots will definitely be fuckin’ everything up. Like my favorite quote from Men in Black, “A person is smart, but people are dumb.”

Your number one priority should probably be gettin’ the hell outta dodge and away from other people in general. It really is the safest bet to head for the hills where there are fewer potential carriers. The cities will be flooded with violent humans and hungry corpses just itchin’ to take a bite outta your sexy ass. You’re gonna need to take some shit with you, though, and that’s where the bag comes in handy.

A quick note on the bag itself: Packs and rucks come in a variety of shapes and sizes and, truth be told, most of the shit at the sporting goods stores is expensive as hell. For our little foray into making a hurried exit, you can use anything from your gym bag, school backpack, whatever. Shit, man, a damn shopping bag could get you by if that’s all you had on hand.

The Five Cs of Survivability

I subscribe to a very elegant and simple theory when it comes to survivability. I trust it because I’ve tested it myself and I know it works. The school of thought is popularly called the 5 Cs of Survivability, and there is a more comprehensive version called the 10 Cs of Survivability. One of the biggest proponents of this philosophy is the now famous Dave Canterbury of the Pathfinder Wilderness Survival School. We’ll go over the first five of them bitches right now and I’ll tighten you up on the other five in the next entry.

The five C’s are easy as fuck to remember:

Cut, Cover, Container, Combustion, and Cordage

That’s the core, but, as you’ll see in a few minutes of reading, these 5 Cs include so much more with one simple caveat: Multiple Use Items! That’s right, homies, each one of these Cs will not only serve their primary function, but also a plethora of other uses. Let’s talk about that shit right now!

Cut: You’ll need a cutting tool. In short, get yourself a good, solid knife. None of that Wally World bullshit, either. Sure, anything will do in a pinch, but sturdy is the key. I mean, a kitchen knife can cut some rope and stab a bernie in the nugget, but it probably won’t hold up against the rigors of true survival - and you don’t want that sum’bitch snappin’ on you when you’re tits-deep in the shit.

That being said, here are some criteria for the knife you will choose for your bag. I suggest your blade fills all of these prerequisites and I’ll explain why in case you’re new to this type of thing… or just a complete dumbass.

It should be made of high carbon steel, period. Why? A couple reasons, actually. Not the least of which is that it’s strong as fuck. A good high carbon steel (HC) has been tempered with strength in mind and it will also hold a nice sharp edge for a longer time. Another reason is that HC tends to throw better sparks off things like Ferrocerium rods and flint to aid in combustion as a direct result of its hardness (giggity) – multiple use in da hizzouse! Never, ever use the blade for that shit, though.

You’ll want one with a sharp ninety degree angle on the spine. Always use the spine whenever possible for scraping and striking to ensure your blade keeps the edge for the important stuff.

Do not get a blade that’s coated. None of that black, wannabe stealth bullcrap. That coating won’t allow you to throw sparks when you need them.
Next, you’ll want what’s referred to as a “full tang” (nothing to do with “poon”, you filthy minded freak!). Full tang means that the steel of the blade extends all the way through the handle (see photos below). This prevents breakages and further lends itself to the overall strength of the knife.

The handle should be comfortable and sturdy, and it should be riveted in place. Epoxy and glue don’t hold up for shit when you’re goin’ HAM on everything comin’ at you. Batoning wood for fire, carving other tools from local materials, and striking sparks for fires using a knife with a jacked up handle will have your hands blistered and useless in no time. That ain’t gon’ fly when it’s your ass on the line, so make sure it’s comfy.
Finally, the length and weight will play a role. I like a 6” or 7” blade, but it’s up to you, really. I don’t think I’d go any shorter, though. Weight-wise, you should be able to heft it easily, but it should be heavy enough to bang around with bitchin’ out on you.

So, to review – High carbon steel, full tang, ninety degree (square) spine, no coating, comfortable handle and weight, and about 6” or so long.

Cover: This one’s a lot simpler. Ponchos, jackets, blankets, trash bags, and on and on and on… Yeah, they’ll all keep you covered from the elements, but in my opinion one piece of kit can act as all of those things and save you a metric fuck-ton of weight in your bag. Remember, you’re gonna be moving and runnin’ around a lot in those first few days and weeks – keep it light. Just buy a simple 7’x7’ tarp. That’s all you really need.

Again, with multiple-use in mind, a tarp can be used to cover you in inclement weather. It can be wrapped around you for warmth. And, most importantly, it can be strung up into an actual tent-style shelter (I’ll teach you all about that in another entry.) One tarp is all you really need, even for a few people. Hell, you can even use your tarp as your actual bag, you broke-ass-hobo-lookin’ bastard! I know, right?!

Container: Let’s face it, after runnin’ around all day dodgin’ the stinks, you’re gonna be thirsty as a mo’fo’. But what are you gonna be drinking out of? What are you gonna cook your food in? In the interest of weight, pots and pans won’t cut it. Moreover, the water around you is likely to be contaminated with all manner of parasites and other nasty stuff. Can’t be fighting off the dead when you got a bad case of the green-apple splatters, so you’re gonna have to boil the liquid before consuming it.

Shoot for a stainless steel thermos that has a lid and a fold out handle. Multi-use in action again. The lid should double as a cup and the stainless won’t burn up. You can drop that sucker right in the coals of your fire, cook whatever, then use your cup to get it up in ya.

It’s a good idea, just for good measure, to spray the bottom few inches of the thermos with some high temperature spray paint. That’ll help prolong the life of the container. You can use it to catch rainwater, too.

Combustion: Simply put, fire fuckin’ rules. There’s something ancient and primal in everyone that tells us we need fire. It provides light, which in turn provides visibility. True, visibility can be a hindrance in some instances, so I’ll go over stealth fires another time. It provides heat, which is crucial for keeping up your core temperature and preventing hypothermia, as well as for cooking. The smoke from your fire can signal rescue and keep the bugs down. Fire is just awesome. The morale boost it can give you may just save your life on its own. Unfortunately, all of that means nothing if you can’t get a fire going in the first place. Very few people possess the skill set to make fire from natural materials and even fewer people excel at it. So, you’ll need a few shortcuts.

My combustion kit contains a number of different ways to make fire in a wide range of conditions, but it is also small enough to not be a burden. In fact, my entire setup fits into a small tin, like an Altoids can or whatever. Again, I’ll cover fire in its own detailed section in the near future. For now though, here are some basics.

A Bic lighter and some waterproof matches (in case the lighter runs out, or it’s wet outside). Eventually, though, the matches and lighter will be gone. You know this. So, I also carry a magnifying glass to use when the sun is shining. Who hasn’t burned up some ants with a magnifying glass when they were a little sadistic kid, right? If I have to explain that process to you, then you’re probably gonna die anyway, sooooo….

To back all that up, I have some cotton balls smeared in petroleum jelly because they’ll take a spark like a boss and burn long enough to catch some other material. I have a ferrocerium rod, more on those in the fire section later on, and a decent flint and steel. That’s a good starter set.

Cordage: Cordage is the most simple of all, in my opinion, but you do have some choices to make on this. You’ll need cordage for a whole slew of reasons – everything from stringing up your tarp tent, tying shit together like branches and bundles, to making traps for food or homemade alarms to let you know intruders are about. It is essential and will make life on the run a helluva lot easier. There are just so many uses for good cordage.

But what kind of cord should I buy? Well, the most popular on the “survival” scene are paracord (550 cord) and tarred bank line. Personally, I prefer the bank line, available online and sometimes in marine/boating stores. It’s tough as hell and light. It’s also not as expensive as paracord. Paracord is awesome because it holds a shit-load of weight and it has finer threads inside that sort of add more diversity to its uses. In a pinch, though, you can just snag yourself a hundred feet of clothesline for a dollar. It’s about function, not form, people.

Ideally, though, you’d have a roll of bank line in your bag, then (pro-tip) replace your shoe laces with paracord. That way you’ll be covered all the way around.
In closing, once these elements are covered you can pad your pack out however you like. Some people want to take some food or rations along because they suck at hunting small game. That’s cool, man. I get that. Just keep it light. Stick to “just add water” type shit - freeze dried meals, noodles, rice, etc. Some people want tools for dismantling and repairs on the road. I suggest a good multi-tool and a Swiss Army knife – small, light, effective.

Whichever route you take, just remember that you have to carry all that shit and you’re gonna be doing it hungry and tired. Plan for everything to have more than one use and, if you at all possible, carry a backup. Another great rule to live by is “Two is one, one is none.” Meaning: if your only one breaks, you’re probably well fucked unless you have another.

Additional Stuff

Candle, Cotton, Compass, Cargo Tape, and Canvas Needle

Yeah, I know – Not quite as easy to remember as the first set, but still. You’ll be fine once they’re in your bag.

Candle: Not quite as simple of a concept as you might think. That’s because in this instance “candle” doesn’t literally mean wax and a wick. Nope, we’re going more for the term “candle power” as in “luminescence”. Flashlights and headlamps are extremely useful because, let’s face it, mistakes happen. You didn’t gather enough firewood to get through the night. You accidentally cut yourself while opening that can of beans. At some point, you’re gonna need some light and a regular fire just won’t cut it. Torches might look cool but, let me tell you, they are a pain in the ass to make and carrying around fire can be straight up dangerous. You’ll need bright, dependable light that you can use directionally for several feet, especially when you start hearing the moans and gurgles of the dead or you’re scavenging in some houses without power.

Headlamps and flashlights, however, are often battery operated (there are plenty of exceptions here, I know) and those batteries can be a double edged sword because they will die over time. Batteries themselves have a plethora of uses when they hold a charge, not the least of which is fire making. Touch a 9volt battery to some steel wool and it will instantly catch fire for you. In fact, it only takes about three volts of electricity to set things alight. For instance, touch a foil gum wrapper to the top and bottom terminals of an AA (or AAA) battery to make what’s commonly referred to as a jailhouse match.

But wait, there’s more! Once your batteries are all dead, that’s not the end of useful things your flashlight/ headlamp can be used for. The concave, reflective “chrome” around the bulb can be used as a signaling mirror or to concentrate sun light into a tinder bundle to start fires. They can act as containers, too. Not to mention a good, heavy duty flashlight will make a great melee weapon for bludgeoning the undead in a pinch.    

Of course, actual candles are lightweight and great to throw in your kit as well. In fact, I suggest at least three or four because, as stated, your batteries are going to crap out on you or you’ve taken up shelter indoors and a fire is neither necessary nor safe. Plus, you just never know – maybe you met some hottie out there and you need some mood lighting, just sayin’.

Cotton: No weight, no space, and a metric shit-ton of uses. There is absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t have a few cotton bandanas and an old tee shirt or two. This is seriously one of my absolute favorite items in a survival scenario simply because the rewards are so plentiful with almost zero drawbacks to carrying them along. Here are a few ways they can save your ass some time and effort.

Filtering. Yup, pour your water through this bitch to eliminate sand and leaf material before boiling or, if you’re an excellent scavenger and managed to find yourself some coffee, you know what to do.

Bandages and ties. Cut strips for tying and binding if you ran out of your regular cordage or if you need something more forgiving when making a splint for an injury. You can also make one helluva sling for arm and shoulder injuries. (And while I’m at it, you can improvise the ancient rock sling as a weapon if you’re in a bad spot or separated from your main weapons. All you need is a rock.)

Fire material. It’ll work if you can’t find anything dry to start your fire and, if you know the process of making char-cloth, this is great stuff. I’ll do a lesson on char-cloth when I start my Fire School section of this guide.

Cover. Wrap that sexy sum’bitch around your head-piece to avoid the elements and to keep the sweat out of your eyes.

Carrying. It’s so simple that it’s often overlooked, but you can carry a lot more of whatever it is you need using the bandana as a pouch or bundler. Whether you’re stealin’ some canned goods from the abandoned market or you’re stripping ammunition off of the bodies of those less fortunate, this one item can make life infinitely more comfortable.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg – I can do this for days and so will you. Just be creative and improvise!

Compass: The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. You can determine a course of direction using the constellations or by following the shadows cast by the sun, but nothing will give you a more foolproof, unmistakable, and unfailing tool for navigation than a good compass. Most of them come with a built in signaling mirror, too. Double score! Get one and learn to use it properly. It can literally save your ass one day.

Cargo Tape: Whichever brand you choose, you just can’t go wrong with some mutha-fuckin’ duct tape (It’s not duck tape, you tards!). You haven’t felt the cool satisfaction of being a badass until you’ve mended a wound with some duct tape. This shit can fix holes in your shelter or your pack, too. I mean, there is no end to the multiple uses of this garage staple.

Just off the top of my head: You can mark your trails, signal for rescue, write messages and arrows for directions with this shit. You can hang stuff with it, pack things together for convenience of carrying with it, and you can even make articles of clothing with it. You can bind and gag a prisoner if necessary, so on and so forth. One time, I saw a couple of dudes make a two man canoe out of their tarp, some dead wood, and a roll of duct tape. This stuff is worth its weight in gold.

Canvas Needle: Sometimes people call this a “sail needle”, but really it’s just a heavy duty-ass sewing needle. I realize that may sound a bit weird, but, trust me, it’ll help. These are great for repairing clothing and other gear as well as knocking loose particularly nasty splinters. All sorts of fine tasks can be accomplished with this needle when your knife just won’t do the trick. Hell, I’m sure you could even stitch a wound if you had to – I bet that would hurt like a bitch, though.

One clever use for this needle is that it can be fashioned into a compass if you were too much of a cheap ass to buy one (Or maybe you broke your good one after you fell while stabbing that last biter in his bitch-ass forehead. Who am I to judge?) Just hang that sucker from a piece of thread and give it a slight electric charge by rubbing on it with some silky material. Not my favorite method, but the shit works.

So, there you have it. Your kit just needs a little personalizing and tweaking at this point. You know the basics and you know what you need to do.