Build the Perfect Bug Out Bag: Your 72-Hour Disaster Survival Kit

I make for an odd survivalist, facing sixty and a knee replacement. But Creek Stewart makes you feel like you don't have to be a Navy Seal to learn a few things about nature and disaster preparedness. I've read a surprising number of these sort of books because I'm an historian, and in a way, they're related - when the Puritans couldn't get wheat to grow, they went greening and made desperation flour out of acorns, if they had to. But these are skills that people seem to be losing; most guys don't even carry a pocket knife anymore, which was a universal for my father's generation, with all those ex-Boy Scouts. Even a lot of Greenies out there don't seem to realize just how dangerous a desert hike can be. Creek Stewart does know, and he's a great teacher.A lot of it is common sense, sense that isn't so common anymore. But a lot of it is stuff that probably wouldn't have occurred to you, particularly if imagination hasn't taken you to a particular sort of disaster. Like here in Indiana - sooner or later, the New Madrid fault is going to go, and it'll be worse than any earthquake in California. "Sheltering in place" may not be an option, because the "place" could be rubble. Follow his advice and you'll have everything you need, and Stewart will always try to save you money, too, recommending the simplest and cheapest solutions. Now that I've read this, I'm going to pick up a couple others of his books. Definitely above the average.

Creek Stewart gets you thinking about and planning for life after a sudden, catastrophic and life-altering – perhaps even threatening - event. After a string of news reports about weather-related crises – massive snowstorms stranding people in their cars and homes for days, flash urban wildfires that wipe out entire towns within hours and widespread tornado damage in the dead of night - his thoughts on disaster preparedness are worth reading.This is not an academic exercise for Stewart; he brings lived experience to “Build the Perfect Bug-Out Bag” peppering his short, easy-format chapters with personal anecdotes, recommendations and lots of helpful photos.What I like best about this book is that you can scale your survival needs and preparedness based on his chapter templates. For instance, although I agree that a bug-out bag should have some water and food, I don’t think I’m going to be packing a wire saw or a weapon. I’m packing for a short-term emergency, not the end of the world (and his subtitle is "Your 72-hour Disaster-survival Kit").He's an easygoing guide, though, preparing you for the worst while expecting – well, the worst. Your expectations may not align with his, but you’ll be reassured by his lively and confident crisis-management writing style. This book can be read as a provocative thought experiment (what will you do in case of an emergency?) or a practical call to action. Start packing!

First off - you can find all of this info for free on the internet - IF you have some backpacking/camping background and a couple ounces of common sense. BUT - there's also a lot of malarkey on the internet, and this does a decent job at distilling it all down to what you need.I've been building Bug Out Bags for myself and my loved ones for years. His approach is really good - though I've found myself paring down the contents of mine over the years - getting rid of the luxuries, the conveniences, and the downright frivolous and distilling it down to the necessities alone. I've cut probably 10 pounds from my original bag (which was, essentially, a backpacking pack).Whatever - if you don't have an emergency backpack - this is a good start. Make one. Be prepared.BUT - that being said:Knowledge is more important than gear.

My mom, at 73 years old, is determined she's going to be the "last man standing" after the SHTF. She loves watching shows like Naked and Afraid, Fat Guys in the Woods, and Bear Grylls. I got her this for Christmas along with a fire starter and she was tickled. As much as she watches the shows on tv, she knows about what to do once you're "out there," but opening up the world of a prepared Bug Out Bag was a whole new concept for her and she got a real kick out of looking through the book and seeing things with a new perspective.Besides the fun factor, it really is also a good book on preparing a BOB. There are more intense or exhaustive lists out there, but this is good for the average person who isn't going to be heading to an underground bunker.

I really don’t much like to review books. I will not recommend any non fiction book. Just too subjective. What I like is meaningless to you. But I’ll say this about this particular book. It is very informative. I do think I got my money’s worth. Look, the whole survival/ prepper thing is extremely popular right now. I get that. Hey, I like to be prepared myself, always been a thing of mine. And this guy really knows what he’s talking about. I got several very good ideas from the book. So if getting a pack ready for emergencies is something you’re planning to do, and you should, I think this book is well worth a read. Thanks for reading

At last a thoughtful and literate, non political, practical guide towards a real BOB! Some recommendations of gear for those who don't have time or patience to research for themselves. Instructions on what to look for when choosing gear, Inc, for pet owners. All US writer's inc. gun use, but this is not excessively covered or stressed and a range of other strategies are covered inc. getting out of the way!Altogether a common sense effort to preparing for the unexpected, with useful listings of additional information sources, inc. practical exercises designed to help test kit and skills. Recommended,

Although this book is written for the American market, so there are references and products that overseas readers may not get, this seems like a very thorough and sensible. I'm certainly not any kind of expert on the topics covered but to a layperson like me, it seems that Creek has really thought about and tried out the things he describes.I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to plan for a bug out but also for anyone wondering into the wilderness on camping or hiking trips as there are good tips and lots of common sense.I live on a tiny island (Guernsey) so it's unlikely that I would ever have to 'bug-out' and we really don't have any wilderness but I found it fascinating (I've read it twice so far) and it is good to get thinking about different aspects of it, so that you consider your particular needs and plan accordingly. I consider my wilderness / survival type things my 'toys' to use when hiking or camping but have put together a plan & bag in case I wake up in the middle of the night & find my house on fire!A good read, with great advice from a man who seems like he knows, very readable and with humour added for free!

I really enjoyed reading this book and I found it very informative.It's an easy read, with everything explained clearly. The checklists in the back are worth the price of the book in themselves, they remind you of all the little extras that don't immediately spring to mind.I like the helpful buying advice in each section as well.All in all a great book, I'd recommend to anyone interested in being prepared, this is a good starting point and guide.

This book is aimed at people who would travel from home to a bug out location in the event of emergency, allowing 72 hours to get "one tank of gas" away from conurbations (around 80 miles in the states?) to a prearranged hideaway. In reality most would find this hard in the UK, probably having to stay at home or rough it up the woods. I was getting seduced by all the fancy survival gear on the net and he's right, it would be expensive to put this kit together as is. A few trips to the car boot sale and some lateral thinking can reduce this a lot! Overall much of the contents comes under common sense and you work it to fit your own situation and pocket. Aimed at the US market but has some useful reminders and suggestions, after all we're only 3 square meals away from barbarism!

Am I a preppier, not really I actually got this just for a little bit of research and what was interesting is that I already have about half of the stuff in the car anyway. So now when my good lady wife na err comments reasonably about the car being full of junk I can tell her honestly that it is there in case world ends :)