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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

13 Best Inflatable Fishing Boats On The Market Right Now

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Inflatable Fishing BoatsThe Ultimate Guide To Inflatable Fishing Boats

When I was a kid, our fishing options were limited.

We could fish from the bank or drag our old aluminum Jon boat from the barn out to the pond.

And if our aspirations took us farther than the farm pond, we had to get help.

It took at least two strong adults to lift the boat to the top of my parent’s minivan and strap it down for the ride.

Once we arrived, it was time to wrestle the boat out to the water.

By the time we finished loading and launching, we’d made enough noise to scare all the fish in the lake.

Every time, I thought, “there has to be a better way!” [Read more…]

10 Simple Survival Shelters That Will Conquer The Elements

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survival sheltersThe Ultimate Guide To Building, Finding, and Deploying Survival Shelters

Note: This article is about wilderness survival shelters. We also have an article about survival bunkers for those more interested in that topic.

There’s more than one way to skin a cat.

And they’re even more ways to find, build and deploy survival shelters.

But only if you know what you’re doing.

In this guide, we show you our 10 favorite simple-to-build survival shelters.

And we don’t just show you, we teach you with how-to videos.

So in this article, we’ll cover the following survival shelter topics: [Read more…]

8 Best Portable Stoves On The Market Right Now – 2019

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Best Portable StovesThe Ultimate Guide To Finding The Best Portable Stove For You

A portable stove is both lightweight and compact.

We’re talking light enough to transport from place to place with ease.

The critical word here being; “ease.”

Sure, “technically” you can move your kitchen stove, but not with ease.

Portable stoves are the kind you can pick up, pack, and store in a vehicle or backpack without hassle.

For it to be genuinely”portable,” it must be extremely small and lightweight. [Read more…]

7 Best Tactical Watches On The Market Right Now – 2019

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Best Tactical WatchesInvesting in a tactical watch shouldn’t be about looking cool.

(Although that is definitely a side benefit).

It’s about wearing a real piece of survival gear.

It’s a legitimate tactical device.

One that’s ready deploy at a moments notice.

The uses of a tactical watch go way beyond merely telling time; especially newer models.

The latest ones are full of sensors and technology.

The best tactical watches are small wrist computers.

They provide critical data in survival situations or outdoor adventures. [Read more…]

9 Proven Non Lethal Weapons For Insanely Strong Protection

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Non Lethal WeaponsEveryone should carry at least one non lethal weapon.

Yes, even if you already carry a firearm.

Why? Because not every conflict calls for a lethal response.

For example:

Does a pickpocket deserve a bullet in the head?

Sometimes a non lethal weapon is the right answer.

It’s a calculated means to deter, intimidate, or stop a threat.

Or maybe you just don’t want to carry a gun. In this case you need a different method for protection. [Read more…]

7 Best Ferro Rods For Wilderness Survival and Preparedness

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Best Ferro RodsThe Complete Guide To Finding And Using A Ferro Rod

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

For most of human history, starting a fire was an epic and important challenge.

It was no laughing matter. It was serious for survival.

To combat this challenge, ancient travelers would carry embers around with them.

Because it was far easier to start a fire with a smoldering ember vs creating a new one.

After all, using stones to knock out a spark IS NOT EASY.

Nor is using a stick to pop an ember out of a plank of wood. [Read more…]

How To Build The Ultimate Emergency Survival Medical Kit

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How To Build A Medical Kit

Call it what you like –

Medical Kit – First Aid Kit – Survival Medical Kit

The name doesn’t matter.

What matters is you have one in a time of need. And it’s ready at a moments notice.

Ready when misadventure strikes.

If you’re unprepared to handle a medical emergency, things can quickly go from bad to worse fast.

Having a functional medical kit is essential for survival.

That’s why everyone needs to build or buy a medical kit. [Read more…]

7 Best Survival Water Filters On The Market Today

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Best Survival Water FiltersHow To Find The Best Water Filter For Survival

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 / Brushing
  • Cooking / Cleaning

These are tasks we perform EVERY single 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. [Read more…]

9 Best Neck Knives For Self Defense, Survival and Preparedness

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Neck KnifeThe Ultimate Guide To Finding The Best Neck Knife For You

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

Back then carrying a sharp blade without getting stabbed was a real trick.

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

By tying some cord around their blade’s handle they could wear it around their necks.

A safe bladed weapon close at hand.

It’s both a simple and brilliant. [Read more…]

4 Best Suture Kits For Life Threatening Medcial Emergencies

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

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. [Read more…]

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