In my mind this is the one thing that everyone needs…….A BUG OUT BAG, or if you wish it A Emergency Preparedness kit, which for me is the same thing. I know that few so called "Normal" people like talking about surviving anything simply because it will make them look like a kook, but this is the one thing I think all people need, not for anything else than insurance. It doesnt need to be expensive or elaborate it just needs to get you through. Some like to pack everything they are ever likely to need others like to pack light……….I m a pack light kind of guy, and with that in mind here is my bag pack list……

4 liters of water. (in date you know what I am talking about!)
6 Energy bars (in date oh yeah)
2 Boil in the bag camping meals (and yes still in date but need to change them out this year)
Spare socks and underwear (fallout from being in the army)
2 Emergency blankets
1 Comprehensive first aid kit
Waterproof matches
2 small ponchos
A hunting Knife
A set of old mess kit
A small wind up radio
A small wind up torch
and its next to my gun safe

Now that being said do you have a bug out bag? if so whats in it?
and
IF not why not???

"Westy""I agree bug out bags are an essential if you're even mildly conscious about you and your families safety, it's really just an extension of the old emergency kit, except there's a few more useful items in there rather than just a torch, first aid kit and a pack of matches! A good bag should contain enough to keep you going at least 48 hours ideally 72 hours or more in the event of an emergency.

I think you've pretty much got everything covered, except I also find it useful to have a decent pair of boots and jeans in the bag, you never know when disaster is going to strike you might well end up having to run out of the house barefooted in your pj's!

I think taking things one step further for the serious survivalist is a survival cache, but much more thought has to go into its contents as you can't go digging it up too often. Also the location of where it's to be buried has to be well thought out too."

My bug out bag is in my closet so its next to my clothes and I want it quick and small, hence the food quick food etc. But different tastes for everyone a friend of mine even has a fire extinguisher in his but I would hate to have to carry it for any distance lol but different tastes for everyone.
Now as for a Cache here and there well yes I do have two but surely that is a topic all on its own Westy!

"Westy""A fire extinguisher, in a bug out bag, really?? Well let's hope he don't have to run too far with that then! I guess every individual has their own ideas on what they should contain, but I think sacrificing mobility for a few added extras is never a good idea."

He lives in an earthquake zone and is just so afraid of complications with fire. But yes I dont see the benefit of a couple of kilos of fire retardant are going to do, but then again maybe I will be proved wrong.