What should be in a 72 hour bug-out-bag?

Cokes, chips, dvds if you have access to a player where you’re heading to, snake bite kit, flashlight, multi tool. And credit cards, at least one. Now go git ‘em tiger!

Water purification method is pretty important. They make this stuff called potable aqua. They are small tablets that can treat large amounts of water. And/ or a “life straw.” Both are small, and highly effective.

Individual bags of salmon, or tuna are small too. High in protein, and useful fats/oils.

Water proof matches, or a few Bic lighters.

A decent knife.

Maybe some para cord.

Some cash would be nice.

Glow Sticks.

Small med kit…

Spare contact lenses, or glasses, if you need them.

And spare meds…

It often depends upon the season and the locale. In most of Canada, for example, you won’t have to worry about a desert environment or protection from extreme sun, but in large parts of the USA in the summer time, those are real concerns. So for most of Canada, then “water purification / filtration” is fine, but in a summertime desert environment “water itself” is a necessity. (That would also apply in a marine – salt water – environment, obviously.)

But in general:
shelter of some kind, even if it’s just a mylar blanket or ground cloth
water or water purification / filtration
a knife (or more than one knife)
waterproof matches and storage or a flint and striker, plus tinder
change of clothing and several pairs of socks
para cord
compass
these days, a phone charger and spare USB cord
LED flashlight (specifically “LED” because they’re better on battery life)
med kit

Again, depending on the environment and season, it might be wise to include some dehydrated or bagged and ready-to-eat food, but not a lot.

Whatever you need specifically that you can’t easily acquire, such as prescription meds.
I’d pack spare readers for myself.

Some of it depends on what you are bugging out from and where you are bugging out to. Generally a change of clothes, a good knife, a blanket, some matches, and some dried food and some water are a good start. If you are bugging out from your home to, say, get out of the way of a hurricane, take plenty of cash. If you are bugging out and expect to end up living homeless for a time, you might want to think about a tent, paracord, compass, whistle, etc. Always take plenty of medications if you have to take them regularly. And always take something for entertainment…cards, a book, paper and pencil, etc.

other people have good suggestions but each bag will be wholly inadequate for a truly unforeseeable event. If you just need a go bag in case of an act of destruction, storm, earthquake, hazardous spill or some other fairly possible scenario, where society doesn’t break down into chaos, then the lists above are good. Add an external battery for charging as well, and maybe some extra cans of gas, in case it gets hard to find in your area, or your tank is low when you need to bounce.

If you’re talking about a complete social collapse type scenario, you’re going to need to plan a whole lot bigger.

@RedDeerGuy1 Is this bug out bag a survival bag in case of something catastrophic? Above are many good ideas.

Here’s the New York Times on the subject:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/03/smarter-living/packing-emergency-kit-disaster.html

@si3tech No. Just to run a household when times are tough and to save money on food. Mostly just food that tastes better than non emergency food. Learning how to shop and cook, and budget, for normal bumps in the road instead of just ordering a $35 pizza.