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Skilled Survival's In Depth Articles To Help You Plan The Perfect Bug Out

Planning a successful Bug Out is complex and should never be taken lightly.

Below you'll find Skilled Survival's best bug out related articles laid out in a systematic approach.

We'll share all of our best articles in the following bug out topics:

  • Finding and Choosing Your Bug Out Location
  • Preparing and Planning Your Bug Out Location
  • Building The Perfect Bug Out Bag
  • Bug Out Route Selection and Escape Strategies
  • Alternative Bug Out Options
  • Recommended Bug Out Food and Gear Options

 
Editors Note: Before reading on, you might want to take a second to bookmark this webpage. Putting together a successful Bug Out takes time.

You'll want to come back to this page often as you progress towards your ultimate goal of creating the perfect bug out plan.

Plus, we update this page often as new articles are published.

Finding and Choosing Your Bug Out Location

It all starts with finding a good bug out location. Here are our in-depth articles covering this topic in detail:

Strategic Relocation - How To Find A Safe Haven For Survival

Strategic Relocation

While this article does not cover bug out locations specifically, it's looking at the safest regions in the country to relocate or bug out to.

It including the following strategic factors:

  • Population Density
  • Natural Disasters
  • Nuclear Considerations
  • Quality Of Life
  • Political Identity

 

Bug Out Location - 7 Essential Qualities For Your Secret Setup

Bug Out Location

This article provides important factors to seek out and ones to avoid when scouting out bug out locations.

Plus, it gives specific examples of how to find and purchase an actual bug out property in your chosen region.

A must-read for anyone actively pursuing a remote bug out location.

Preparing and Planning Your Bug Out Location

Once you've got a location locked down, you should spend time planning and preparing it to sustain you when the time comes to use it.

Survival Retreat - How To Plan and Build Your Own

Survival Retreat - remote cabin in woods

This article covers all facets of finding and creating your own survival retreat.

It including:

  • Budget and Legal Considerations
  • Site Planning and Best Bug Out Shelter Options
  • Key Survival Retreat Supplies
  • Concealment and Defense Strategies

 

Homestead Survival - 6 Steps To Prepare Your Homestead For Survival

This article deep dives into the nitty-gritty of planning a bug out location or homestead for long-term survival.

It covers:

  • Decide What Sort of Roof You Want Over Your Head
  • Quench Your Thirst With Less Effort
  • Layout Matters - So Do It Right The First Time
  • Survival Will Eventually Come Down To Food
  • Accessibility - The Doubled-Edged Sword
  • What It Takes To Go From Survive To Thrive

 

Building The Perfect Bug Out Bag

After you've figured that out, you need to research information on good bug out bags and also decide what gear to put in it.

How To Find The Best Bug Out Bag For All Your Survival Gear

Selecting a poor quality bug out bag can put your entire bug out in jeopardy. But what features and specifications make for a quality bug out bag?

That's what this article is all about.

Plus, at the end of this article, we give you our best bug out bag recommendations.

Free 104 Item Bug Out Bag Checklist: Not Just What But Why

Bug Out Bag Checklist

This is our flagship bug out bag gear article.

It's one of our most popular articles on our entire site. Why? Because it provides a high level of detail to help you build out your perfect bug out bag.

We not only tell you what gear to put into your bug out bag but we take the time to tell you why you should add it. Because the why matters more than the what.

How To Build Your Ultimate Get Home Bag From Scratch

Get Home Bag

This article is NOT about building a bug out bag, it's about building a get home bag.

Most people leave their bug out bags at home, ready to go in an instant. But what if you're all the way across town with SHTF? What if the freeways are on lockdown and you have to walk home?

Everyone and I mean EVERYONE, should have a get home bag. It's a smaller bag with some key survival supplies to help you get back to home base.

How To Build An INCH Bag - "I'm Never Coming Home"

Survivalist Hiker With An INCH Bag

This bag build is the opposite of the get home bag, it's an INCH bag. I.N.C.H. is an acronym that stands for I'm Never Coming Home. 

So it's a huge bag that you pack with survival gear that will allow you to live off the land. To live a nomadic survival life after a widespread collapse.

This article is for those who are serious about getting out of dodge and staying on the move permanently.

Bug Out Bag Weight - It Can Add Up Fast

Target Bug Out Bag Weight

Most peoples bug out bags end up being way too heavy. Why? Because it's hard to stop adding useful survival gear.

As you build your bag, you keep thinking of more and more gear you want to take with you. But all that extra gear comes at a heavy price.

So this article provides target bug out bag weights and tips on how to reduce your load.

Minimalist Camping - Taking Only What You Need To Survive

Minimalist CampingHere's another bug out article on weight management.

One of the best ways to figure out what you really need and what you can leave behind is to go camping. 

But not car camping or RV camping, to go minimalist camping.

Bug Out Documents - The Most Important Papers For Surviving

Bug Out Bag Documents In A Pack With Hiking BootsDocuments are not sexy and they're not exciting.

However, for emergency survival situations, they're critical.

So this article tells you all the critical documents you should take with you when you bug out.

Bug Out Route Selection and Escape Strategies

You'll also need to work on your actual bug out route paths - which must include at least one back up route. Your routes should include strategic rest locations with natural water sources.

Urban Escape and Evasion Techniques After The Collapse

Not everyone can relocate to a safe region of the country today. Instead, you may need to bug out from an urban city.

This is a must read article if you're bug out plan includes leaving a large urban environment.

High-density urban environments add an extra level danger when SHTF. Getting out takes a unique set of escape and evasion techniques.

How To Build, Plan and Bury A Survival Cache

Survival Cache - Shovel and Bear BinA survival cache is a bundle of survival supplies you hide for future use.

This bug out article provides all the necessary skills related to utilizing survival caches along your bug out route. 

It includes critical information such as were to bury a cache, how to bury a cache and what survival supplies to put in a cache.

Long Term Fuel Storage For SHTF Preparedness

Long Term Fuel StorageThis topic is for anyone who plans to bug out OR stay put. But if you intend to drive to your bug out location, you sure as hell better have a fuel storage plan.

One that includes stockpiling enough fuel to get to your bug out location. Don't assume you'll be able to fill up before you leave or while on your route.

If the grid's down and all hell breaks loose, gas stations will not be online.

Alternative Bug Out Options

Maybe bugging out on foot is not an option or not your first choice. Now what?

You should consider some alternative bug out transportation options.

Bug Out Vehicles - Lessons Learned From These Badass Setups

I'll be honest, bugging out on foot sucks.

As an avid backpacker I know it's slow, it's tedious and it's an insane workout, especially if you're talking days of walking.

So why not bug out with a vehicle? Heck, a vehicle is my primary bug out choice.

Sure, you need a backup plan in case vehicle travel is not an option, but if it is, then you need a bug out vehicle up to the challenge.

Bug Out Trailers - The Best Rigs We Can Learn From

If you plan on having a bug out vehicle it only makes sense to pair it with a bug out trailer.

A trailer allows you to bug out with a ton of survival gear and supplies.

Getting a bug out vehicle/trailer setup in place is not cheap. But for those who can afford it - it's an ideal bug out setup. 

Bug Out Bike - What You Need To Know To Survive

Another smart alternative bug out option is using a bike.

Now doing this right takes some serious planning. You need to get a bike worthy of bugging out and deck it out with saddlebags and a small pull behind trailer.

For some people, a bug out bike makes a lot of sense. Don't knock it until you see some of these bug out bike setups. 

Recommended Bug Out Food and Gear Options

Finally, we have several articles related to specific bug out gear and food we recommend you pack.

These items will give help make your bug out more efficient and up your odds of success.

11 Best Survival Shovels For Your Bug Out Bag

survival shovels with a bunch of gearSurvival shovels are excellent multi-functional survival tools. They can dig, chop, cut and many also have other survival tools built in as well.

Tools such as fire starters, saws, compasses, etc.

Making them a smart choice to add to your bug out bag. 

Mountain House Review - Read This Before You Buy

Mountain House ReviewEvery bug out bag should be packed with a few calories. But there's a lot of options for adding food to your bag.

We think Mountain House is the best option, here's why...

First, freeze-dried food has an extremely long shelf life and its lightweight. Both of those factors make Mountain House a wise choice.

However, what makes Mountain House better for bug out bags than other freeze-dried meal companies is its pouches.

You can cook the food (by adding boiling water) right in the pouch itself.

This saves you from having to pack a separate stove which saves you precious weight.

6 Best Survival Playing Cards That Are Worth The Weight

6 best survival playing cardsMost people think some future widespread emergency will be full of chaos and excitement. But the reality is, there will likely be a lot of downtimes.

You need a plan to deal with boredom- so you should stash a set of playing cards in your bug out bag.

So get a deck with useful survival information on them. 

Wrap Up

Again, you may want to take a second to bookmark this webpage. Putting together a successful Bug Out takes time and is never 100% complete.

You'll want to come back to this page often as you progress towards your ultimate goal of creating the perfect bug out plan.

Plus, we update this page often as new bug out articles are published.

Prepare, Adapt and Overcome,
"Just In Case" Jack

9 Proven Non Lethal Weapons For Insanely Strong Protection

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Non Lethal WeaponsEveryone should own and carry non lethal weapons – even if you already carry a firearm.

Why? Because not every conflict or attack calls for a weapon of the lethal variety.

For example – does a pickpocket deserve a bullet in the head?

Sometimes a non lethal weapon is the right answer to deter, intimidate, or stop a threat.

Or maybe firearms (or knives) just plain scare you. Maybe they’re unfamiliar to you and you have no desire carry one.

In this case, your best bet is a non lethal weapon for self-protection.

That’s why there are so many types of non lethal weapons available.

Weapons that make sense when the incident calls for a non lethal (but still extremely effective) defense tactic.

As you’ll soon discover, the best non lethal weapons are incredibly intimidating and can inflict severe pain. The best ones can stop an intruder in their tracks.

But they’re non lethal weapons that will most likely leave both perpetrator and victim alive to see another day. [Read more…]

Ferro Rod – The Best Ones To Own For Wilderness Survival

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The Complete Ferro Rod Survival Guide

Ferro Rod Throwing Sparks

A spark is an insanely powerful thing to carry in your pocket.

For most of human history, starting a fire’s been an epic and ongoing survival challenge.

Fire was such a crucial resource in ancient times; travelers carried embers with them. It was far easier to start a new fire from a smoldering ember.

After all, using stones to knock out a spark to catch a bit of tinder is not easy. Nor is using sticks to pop an ember out of a plank of wood.

And besides, they never knew if there would be enough dry fuel or the right stones to make a spark at their next stop.

It was much safer to carry an ember along wherever they went.

So what do you think ancient people would have thought about a spark generating device? One that fits in a pocket and throws off sparks hot enough to melt steel?

A device that throws sparks with just the flick of a wrist, and even soaking wet?

I bet they would have killed others for such a powerful device! [Read more…]

How To Build The Ultimate Emergency Survival Medical Kit

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Whether you call it a Medical Kit, First Aid Kit or Emergency Survival Kit doesn’t matter. What matters is that you have one and it’s ready at a moments notice.

Survival Medical Kit List

It doesn’t matter where you are or what you’re doing when misadventure strikes. If you’re not prepared to handle a medical emergency, things can go from bad to worse fast.

Whether you’re camping, exploring a foreign country, navigating the high seas, or simply surviving a catastrophic emergency – having a functional medical kit is essential for survival.

Everyone needs to built or buy a survival medical kit.

Ask any medical worker what you can do today to save yourself or others in a serious medical emergency. They will tell you to 1) have a tactical first aid kit 2) learn how to use it.

They also know really good medical first aid kits, the kind that provides peace of mind, are hard to come by.

But fear not! You’ve come to the right place.

This Ultimate Survival Medical Kit Guide is here to solve that problem. Specifically, we’ll be covering the following topics in detail:

  • How To Build Your Own Emergency First Aid Kit
    • Choosing A Medical Bag
    • First Aid Kit List
    • Basic Medical Tools
    • Over-The-Counter Medications
    • Lotions and Creams
    • Advanced Wound and Trauma Supplies
    • Popular Prescription Medications
    • Misc Medical Supplies
  • Medical Kit Packing Strategies
  • Best First Aid Kit You Can Purchase
  • Developing Your Survival First Aid Skills
    [Read more…]

The Complete Guide To The Best Survival Water Filters

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How To Find The Best Survival Water Filter For You and Your Needs

Best Survival Water Filter

If you had to list the most critical resources in your survival plan, water will always be in your top 3.

Just think about all the ways you use water in your daily life:

  • Drinking
  • Bathing
  • Flushing Toilets
  • Brushing Teeth
  • Cleaning Dishes
  • Cooking

These are all tasks we perform EVERY day!

Now imagine for one minute, it’s gone. Taps dry…

You couldn’t flush your toilets. You couldn’t bath. But more importantly, you couldn’t quench your thirst. The dehydration countdown would begin. You’d be forced to find a different source of water.

And while the image of a crystal clear, pure mountain stream sounds appealing; reality is likely far different in a survival situation.

When you’re in survival mode, you may have to consume water wherever you can find it –

  • muddy puddles
  • algae-filled ponds
  • livestock tanks
  • river runoff
  • roof runoff (i.e. rainwater harvesting)

These sources can be teaming with all kinds of bacteria, viruses, and chemicals.

You need a way to remove these dangerous contaminants for drinking and cooking. You need a survival water filtration plan.

So today we’re going to cover the following survival water filter topics in detail:

  • 3 Types of Survival Water Filters
  • Filtration vs Purification
  • Critical Survival Water Filter Factors
  • Best Inline Survival Water Filters
  • Best Small Group Water Filters
  • Best Large-Scale Water Filters
  • Simple DIY Gravity Filter
  • Water Filtration Best Practices
  • Survival Water Action Plan

[Read more…]

Best Neck Knife For Self Defense, Survival and Preparedness

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The Ultimate Guide To Finding The Best Neck Knife For You

Neck Knife

Before sheaths and folding blades, our ancestors had to come up with some clever ways to carry a blade.

How could they safely take a blade with them every single day in an age before the pocket knives?

One clever and timeless solution to this ancient problem was the neck knife.

By tying a cord around their blade’s handle and wearing them around their necks, they had a weapon close at hand.

It’s both a simple and brilliant.

Few survival tools can double as a functional tool and fashion accessory at once. The neck knife being one of them.

But the variety of neck knives today is staggering and seemingly unending. Unfortunately, not all neck knives are created equal. Some neck knives are great while others simply suck.

Searching for the right neck knife can be a tedious and frustrating process. How do you pick a great one from such a large number of options?

Well, that’s exactly why we wrote this guide. In this article we’ll be covering the following topics:

  • What Is The Neck Knife
  • Brief Neck Knife History
  • Top Reasons To Wear A Neck Knife
  • What Makes A Neck Knife Good
  • The Best Neck Knives
  • Best Neck Knife Uses

[Read more…]

Suture Kit – The Forgotten Lifesaving Survival Asset

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How To Find A Survival Suture Kit That’s Right For You

Suture Kit

Your skin is the largest organ in your body and it holds you together like a sack.

It keeps your internal organs and fluids from spilling out.

It protects your insides from external forces, and it regulates your body temperature.

But sometimes – often – in survival situations, your skin gets sliced wide open.

Maybe you cut yourself with a can-opener or a knife. Or maybe you hit your head on a rock. Or perhaps you caught a jagged branch in the chest, and now you’re laid wide open.

What can you do?

Without a way to seal a severe laceration shut, you’ll quickly find yourself in a heap of trouble. That’s where a doctor or medical professional comes in handy.

One of those 24-hour medical clinics where you can get immediate help. The ones with local anesthetics and nice nurses who’ll stitch you up with a smile.

But hospitals and health clinics are not resources we can always rely on. In the wild, a battlefield, or the apocalypse, you won’t find such medical conveniences.

You’re going to have to rely on yourself, your survival knowledge, and your survival gear.

That’s why you should own a medical grade survival suture kit. [Read more…]

Best EDC Knife For Self Defense, Survival and Preparedness

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A Guide To Help You Find The Best EDC Knife For You

Best EDC Knife

When a specific tool’s been used for centuries and found across several continents, you know there’s something special going on.

Knives are the perfect example of such a special tool.

And it’s not like the basic knife design has evolved all that much over time either. No, the idea of a blade (stone and later metal) has been with us since the dawn of man.

Knives have maintained their basic applicability, retained their form, and sustained their usefulness since their creation. [Read more…]

Portable Solar Panels – Enjoy Your Outdoor Adventures Worry Free

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Helping You Find The Best Portable Solar Panels For Your Next Great Adventure

There’s been a recent boom in portable solar panels. And their increasing popularity has taken the survival world by storm.

Why? Because they’re so incredibly useful in wilderness and emergency situations. Not to mention how convenient they are for camping and outdoor adventures.

These portable devices turn solar energy from the sun into usable electrical power. Energy to power any device that relies on electricity to function all while on the go.

Portable everyday carry gear such as:

  • Smartphones
  • Tablets
  • Cameras
  • GPS units
  • Flashlights
  • Headlamps
  • Rechargeable batteries
  • Etc.

The key here is the portability of these solar chargers.

People have been installing large solar panels systems for years now. The market for solar generators has also been on the rise recently as well. And while these systems are no doubt powerful, they are not nearly as mobile for everyday carry.

That’s why the latest portable solar panels are so exciting. They allow you to harness the power of the sun with a device that fits in your backpack or pocket! [Read more…]

Strategic Relocation: How To Find A Safe Haven For Survival

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Using Strategic Relocation To Find The Best Place To Live For Survival

Strategic Relocation

Strategic relocation is the process of finding a safe, defendable home for your family. Whether you’re worried about societal collapse or natural disaster the location you choose may determine your fate.

Maybe you’re just fed up and ready move somewhere new. You’d like to pick up and start fresh in a new strategic location.

Or maybe you’re worried about the place you live…

But before you finalize on where you want to move, you should choose wisely, you should be strategic.

Relocation should never be taken lightly. There are many critical factors to consider for a strategic relocation. This article is here to help you figure out, understand, and take into consideration all these key factors before you strategically relocate. [Read more…]

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