The ultimate bug-out bag checklist (72 hours)
Everything that belongs in a grab-and-go bag, organized by priority, so when it's time to leave, you grab one bag and go. Built around the rule of threes: shelter, water, food.
A complete 72-hour bug-out bag, laid out by priority.
A bug-out bag (BOB) is the one thing you take when staying home isn't an option: a wildfire at the ridge, a flood warning, an evacuation order. The goal is simple: survive at least 72 hours away from home, self-sufficiently. Pack by priority, not by gadget.
The 10 categories of a complete go-bag
Work top to bottom. The first four keep you alive; the rest keep you functional and informed.
The apps that make a go-bag easier
A bug-out bag isn't only gear. Three of the apps from our best prepper apps roundup directly support it:
- Inventory & expiry (Stockpile): the food, water and meds in a BOB all expire. Track them so the bag is always current.
- Offline maps (Gaia GPS): download your evacuation routes in advance so you can navigate with no signal.
- First aid (Red Cross): step-by-step guidance stored on-device for when you actually open the kit.
Keep it current
The most common bug-out bag failure isn't a missing item. It's a dead battery, an expired med, or a water pouch past its date. Review the bag at least twice a year, rotate consumables, and set reminders so the checks happen on time. For the food and water layer specifically, see how much to store and the FEFO rotation method.
FAQ
What is a bug-out bag?+
A bug-out bag (BOB) is a pre-packed bag with the essentials to survive at least 72 hours away from home during an evacuation — water, food, shelter, first aid, tools, light, comms and documents.
How much food and water goes in a bug-out bag?+
Plan for 72 hours: about 3 liters of water per person plus a filter, and roughly 2,000 calories per person per day of no-cook food. Track the expiry dates so the bag's food never goes stale.
How often should I check my bug-out bag?+
At least twice a year. Rotate food and water, check batteries and medications, and update documents. An inventory app with expiry reminders makes this nearly automatic.