SAVE TIME AND TROUBLE BY PREPARING BEFORE EMERGENCIES STRIKE.

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY DANA BENNER

This is the author’s wife’s pack—a 5.11 Tactical RUSH24 2.0. Also shown are Honey Stinger and The New Primal snacks, along with water, which are always part of the family’s pack load.

Left to right: the Swiss Tech bodyguard tool, which includes a light and seatbelt cutter; 5.11 EDT rescue tool; 5.11 Base ISP key chain knife; and the Gerber Dime mini-multi-tool. Each of these is lightweight and perfect for your pack.

The idea of bug-out bags has a negative connotation—not among people who are veterans of preparing for emergencies, but with the public in general. When many people think of “bug-out bags,” they think of militias or paramilitary organizations, especially after what happened at the nation’s Capitol Building on January 6, 2021.

Perhaps we should re-name them “preparation bags,” because that’s actually what they are. Literally hundreds of articles have been written on this subject, including many I've authored. Sadly, in some ways, these articles often revolve around firearms and knives and take on that stereotypical paramilitary nature. We normally talk about extreme situations that most people won’t have to experience ... at least hopefully not to the extent we often write about. Those articles address worst-case scenarios, which is a widely adopted way to be prepared for what might come.

› Two headlamps, one from Bushnell (left) and one from 5.11 Tactical, are part of the author’s kit. The third light is the EDC-K USB key chain light. This is the perfect light for your kids to have in or on their packs. Giving them a light helps calm them and makes them feel important.

“HAVING PREPARATION BAGS READY TO GO CAN SAVE VALUABLE TIME... AND JUST MIGHT MEAN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SUCCESS AND FAILURE.”

The RUSH24 2.0 pack is a versatile pack that’s designed for many different situations.

This article won’t deal with firearms, combat knives or freeze-dried meals. Rather, the purpose of this piece is to address the concerns of “regular” people and moms and dads who’re getting started in prepping and just want the basics needed to protect their families.

WHY DO YOU NEED A PREPARATION BAG? 

Emergencies happen all the time, and you need to be prepared for them. House fires, forest fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes and even social and political upheavals require that you’re prepared to move quickly and efficiently. In some cases, you might only have a few minutes— or even seconds—to react and get away from danger. If you have a preparation bag for each person ready to go, you’ll have a greater chance of keeping your family safe.