Source
r/preppers•
hostergaard

Survival kit/bug out bag sizes standardization

Discussion

So I have been thinking about survival kits and bugout bags a bit recently and what different types and sizes there is. So far I feel like the most common theme is there is overall 4 size levels to consider:

  1. On person, goal is maximum utility at minimum size so it can be in the pocket at all times. Micro survival kits, altoids tins and so on. You would want better kits, but this is the absolute smallest you can make it while enchanting your survival.
  2. In bag. That is, a kit that can be carried in your backpack or purse in addition to what you normally carry, so not the size of a backpack but rather meant to be in it . A small survival kit but with a bit more room. Basically the smallest you can make a real survival kit. Something the size of like a small toiletry bag maybe or small first aid kit.
  3. In vehicle. What you would have say, in your car. A bug out bag or survival kit the size of backpack, Contains more or less everything you would want for an emergency or survival in the medium term.
  4. Leave at home. Basically, any kits to large to fit in a backpack, so boxes or even a pantry room. You got everything you need here for survival in the long term.

Of course, all of this is a continuum but I felt it would be an interesting exercise to try and create some basic classification.

So 1 in particular and (smaller) 2 would be something you can reasonable carry with you in everyday life. 1 being small enough to always have on you while the 2 are more to keep in backpacks and such that you don't always carry with you but might often do. while 3 (and larger 2's) is what you would leave in your car or other places with some but not a lot of space like a dorm room but never an everyday carry, although its the largest form that you can carry around with you in the given situation its made for. 4 would be the most extensive forms of kits that you would consider and not the type you can carry around on your own. Basically large boxes and even rooms containing everything you need.

Thoughts and ideas?

Posted May 21, 2021, 1:21 PM UTC

1122
pattiearnold•

I can't even fit an altoids tin into my pants pocket. Men are so lucky

12
hostergaardOP•

Yep! But maybe in a jacket? I was thinking of women when I wrote purse in number 2. I feel like I could divide #2 further. #1 is for kits made as small as possible so you can carry it around in your pockets or, like a wallet or or keychain thing or whatever (but generally, whatever kits fit in your pocket). but #2 (#1 too I suppose) could be divided into larger micro kits that you can have in a purse, altoid tin size I suppose, and then ones a little bit larger for front pockets in backpack or clove compartment of a car but might fit in a jacket pocket, something like this maybe, more medium sized to fit inside the main pocket of backpack together with other things or under the seat of a car or something, something like lunchbox size. Or a larger #2 the size of a first aid kit, one that goes in the trunk. But then we get close to #3 (which I consider taking a entire backpack and filling it up instead of something that would fit in it together with other stuff).

​

I think the continuum of #1 and number #2 (up to but not including #3) probably have to most potential for useful subdivision of classification.

2
nooneshuckleberryPrepared in Theory•

Wait, you have actual pockets!

1
pattiearnold•

itty bitty ones, they hold maybe a tube of chapstick but I think even that would stick out.

1
[deleted]•

[deleted]

0
pattiearnold•

obviously you are not a woman having to go to work in an office

6
[deleted]•

[deleted]

-1
pattiearnold•

Mens pants are not comfortable to wear all day

2
TacTurtle•

Purse?

0
ilreppans•

I’ve been at this for a while and think you nailed it - those are my 4 categories as well. I’m an outdoor enthusiast/adventure-tourer and ultralight backpacker (specifically into an ‘ultracompact’ niche), and EDC (pockets + 12L bag) a good portion of my actual camping gear.

I’m a believer in the ‘preparadox’, ie, the prepared person is actually the least likely to need his preps. I used to carry around a small PSK (personal survival kit) but it merely represented dead weight - always carried, never used. Frankly these dinky kits are so marginal, I wouldn’t want to use them except in a dire emergency, which I never had.

For me, the best solution is to use real/proper outdoor gear, and ‘ultra-task’ it so it actually sees regular use for everyday comfort, recreation, and practical purposes FIRST, yet hopefully can cover most emergency situations SECOND. Of course, minimize bulk/weight to also make it worthy for every day carry.

7
nooneshuckleberryPrepared in Theory•

"Preparadox..."

I love this.

4
hostergaardOP•

Haha, thanks! I never had the opportunity or the money to actually make kits but it something that really been fascinating to me and I like looking it up, reading and watching stuff about it from time to time and I am happy that someone with a bit more experience can approve of it.

​

I think you raise some really good points, the smaller micro survival kits, while cool in a way, often are very lacking and you will likely next to never need them so they are dead weight often. In every day life you can likely find things that work as well or better if need be and out in nature, you would likely know that you are going there so you can bring something at least in the #2 category in preparation that would hold more decent gear or have the full backpack. As such, I have been thinking about category #1 in a bit of different light, in the more practical manner that you talk about. #1 is meant to be so small that you have it with you in your pocket or keychain in every day life yet its extremely unlikely you will find yourself in of need the dinky survival gear it can provide if you like to be prepared anyway. So I came to the conclusion that it should focus on things that I am in fact likely to need in everyday life and its many smaller emergencies, not to save my life exactly, but make it more convenient.

​

Its not exactly disaster prepping, but I think its good to consider it in that light too, that hey, maybe it can help deal with the inconveniences you meet in life. I am still working on the idea and I am thinking it would be smaller than even a altoid tin, maybe small cap in my keychain.

Basically, I got adhd and tend to forget stuff, like my adhd medecin. So it would have what I need for a day, because I sometimes leave home and discover I forgot my meds. Some painkillers for headaches. And allergy meds. A tiny container, maybe using a piece of sealed straw, with a few drops of perfume in case I forgot to put that on. I got a small cap in my keychain that was meant for a pair of concert earplugs that I lost. I think it would fit those things, and maybe half a toothpick and/or some floss. And maybe a mint/gum. I think that would be the smallest everyday use kit. Not sure if it fit this sub exactly, but I don't know where else to talk about such a kit idea.

If I went a little bigger than the earplug container I would get a new pair of earplugs for it cause I got senstive hearing and they where actually useful until I lost them, and then add in a few more things. I mean, there is always the altoid box, but maybe something smaller, I am thinking a small cosmetic box with a build in mirror might fit the bill. I could then at in a tiny straw tupe of bb cream or similar to cover zits in an emergency. A small wet paper towel of a type that can be used on the face in case I need to wash it, but also doubles as a way to wash your hands or other things. Maybe a drop or shaving of soap. Instead of the half of a toothpick I could go with a full one, maybe one that is toothpick and flos combined. A drop of moisturizing/anti-redness cream too for face since I easily break out these days if I don't use. Maybe a dextrose chewable tablets and a caffeine pill. A small pocketknife, but maybe just add it on the key bundle on its own istead of the box. Local paper currency.

I would say a bandaid, but I honestly rarely have use for it, but maybe, its not like its heavy or take a lot of space. If I want to push into slightly rarer categories, then maybe a needle, a threat and a button to fix clothes and bags in an emergency so it can last til I get home. A small piece of paper, pencil and eraser. And maybe cut of a toothbrush head and have a dollop of toothpaste, not gonna be comfy, but hey, beats waking up with crudy mouth if you end up sleeping over somewhere, which happens now and then.

I dunno, I am starting to move from things that I have a common need for, to semi common to rare need. But hey, that is what I have been thinking about lately.

​

For more survival kits and prepping, I am looking into category 2 and 3, something I can have in my dorm room for emergencies. #2 for specific emergencies, like a first aid kid, and a small bag with a change of clothes and toiletries that I can grab if some emergency pops up where i need to go at once but know I might require me to stay a day or two, like a familiy emergenceny. Nothing unusal. And then a more complete #3 backbag/duffel bag bugout bag for if shit hits the fan and I need to survive to hide in the back of my closet.

​

I am mulling over a category 2 to have in my university backpack to carry around that straddle the line of everyday use and emergency kit but as you mentioned, I should be warry of marginal deadweight I actually will never use and/or impractical. I am thinking a small multitool and maybe flashlight is always handy. Backup battery to charge my phone. Some snacks/mussli bars. A water bottle (which I always have anyway). A bit more extensive versions of the previous everday kit. Multi charging cable. Small earpods. Lighter. Some coins (some things only take coins) and paper currency. Multivitamins. Paper towels. Disposable rain poncho.

2
ginjabeard13•

What 12L bag do you use? I’m in the market for an “EDC” bag. I recently got a van quest dendrite large, but it’s a little small for what I need. I also more recently got a 21L bag and it’s a little large for what I’m looking for. (I also just like bags and packs)

2
ilreppans•

Unfortunately, mine’s been discontinued - Patagonia Minimass (Black Hole version) messenger bag (rigs as a backpack, bicycle rack ‘trunk’, etc.)

1
[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
hostergaardOP•

Nothing really, the wording was more to convey an idea while keeping the title short, its more a tought exercise and observation of how I see kits often clustering together in terms of sizes and figured it could be an interesting thing to talk about which clusters people see and why they exist.

Edit:

I guess its more standardization according to what you need and have room for. More to collect my thoughts on what I need and what I have to work with and should focus on. So I can look at this and say, well, I don't have a car or a spare room so my focus should be on 1 to 2 and maybe 3. So either a large 2 or small 3 for my dorm room, a 2 to have in by school bag and a 1 to have in my jacket pocket. A 4 is right out because of having no space.

1
iamtherussianspyPrepared for bad weather and bad economy.•

Is "categorization" the word you're looking for?

4
hostergaardOP•

I suppose, did not spend too much time on the headline as I was rather focused on the post itself. Too bad I can't edit the title.

2
hostergaardOP•

Perhaps 1 and 2 could be subdivided into smaller and larger variant as the continuum from of micro kits, to small kits, to medium small have a lot of variation. There is micro kits that would be to big to always have in your pocket, and some that fit in a bag that is too large to really always carry around with you in the bag.

1
DannyBigD•

For me, I have multiple bags in my vehicle and at home. Each bag(even the empty ones) has it's own use.

In the car, I keep a small med/trauma kit within reach. If I need to ditch the vehicle I throw the med bag into my main ghb that is designed for maximum mobility. I have another bag that includes extra clothes and can be used for hotel stays or similar situations. An additional bag stays empty and can be given to the SO and packed with whatever additional items I might need from a well stocked trunk.

The bags at home are similar to ones above but focus more on evacuation type disasters like tornados, fire or other various bugging scenarios.

The key for me is to be instantly flexible to whatever situation/disaster might hit.

1
mpegher•

I find that you are right, an EDC should have some basics of survival. Maybe a as little as a pocket knife and a lighter, may be enough.

I also agree with the 1 liter bag of survival gear as something that can be thrown into a backpack/daypack or strapped to your belt.

As for the Get back home bag/bug out bag or INCH bag, you need to consider that you may be carrying this bag for hundreds of miles if not indefinitely. I recommend a 65-70L pack with all the comforts of hiking or camping.

As for a vehicular bug out kit, it depends on your storage space in your vehicle and home.

1