The following lists are what I consider important for different level of survival kits.  These lists are not all inclusive by any means since what you include in it is going to be determined by what you have on hand, how long you’ve been preparing, how much money you can set aside for preparation, etc.  So without further ado:

Mini-Bug out bag (for keeping in your vehicle)

• Some type of multi tool, like a leatherman or gerber.  I’ve carried both and was very satisfied with the performance of both.  There’s other multi tools out there that I haven’t tried, but in this particular, stay away from cheap knockoffs like the plague.  This is the one tool you don’t want to skimp on.  It can be used for so many purposes, that a cheap one will probably fall apart when you need it most.  If applicable, I’d suggest always having one on your belt and another in your kit.  Where I work now, we can’t have knives displayed,  so I can’t carry my multi tool.  Where I worked previously, within the space of 6 months, I had to repair/replace some of the velcro on the flap of it’s belt sheath because I had worn it out by constantly opening/closing the flap.  So my suggestion is, if you get one, try to get one with a leather sheath with some type of snap on it so you’ll never have to worry about it opening unexpectedly and losing it.
• Food/Hard candies.  If for no other reason than as a psychological pick-me-up.  One of the first things people start worrying about is not having food in a survival situation.  A piece of hard candy can take your mind off that for a period of time.  It can also help you ignore thirst, depending on the candy.  Another type of food to include would be some type of cracker/pilot bread.  It very stable with a long shelf life.  Heat doesn’t affect it much, if at all, and until it’s been opened, moisture doesn’t do anything to it either.  Again, your environment and situation will help determine what you put in in this category.
• Our favorite standby, 550 parachute cord.  A 50 ft section of this stuff doesn’t take up much space, but it has so many uses that you’ll probably have to replace it from time to time.  Downside is, if you have very high heat, the cord might be degraded, so you want to check it periodically.
• Maybe a sheath knife of some sort, with at least a 6” blade.  This is more for if you go off the road in a low traffic area or something similar.  You can possibly get by with a cheap knife, but again, you get what you pay for.  You can get a lot of knife in the $30-$50 range.  Cold steel or K-Bar are my preferred brand, but I’ve got knives from quite a few other manufacturers.  I just am really partial to Cold Steel tho, because you can get an excellent knife for a very inexpensive price.  Just request one of their “Proof” videos.  I think you’ll be impressed on what one of these knives can do. I’ve gotten several different knives/tools from them, and I’ve only been dissatisfied with one of them, which is a model they don’t make anymore.  The other knife from them that I had an issue with I fixed myself.  It was a folder that wasn’t machined correctly.  I could have gotten it replaced without a problem because it was dangerous the way it was, but with a dremel tool and about 2 min, I fixed the lock system on it.  When I put photos up on the site for that knife, I’ll point out where I adjusted it so you’ll know where to look if you get a similar knife from any manufacturer.  You preferably want a knife with a comfortable handle, with a full tang handle, with the majority of the weight in the blade.  This will be very welcome if you need to use the knife for hacking down a sapling to use as a splint for example. Check local laws/regulations to see if it’s legal to have in your kit if it’s in the back seat instead of the trunk.
• Blankets/warm clothes.  Enough said. If you break down in a storm and your car heater isn’t working, could be the difference between being ok and being very uncomfortable.  Also, in the case of an accident, you can use the blankets to prop up injured body parts, help keep someone warm to try and offset shock, and maybe even tearing strips off of it to use as bandaging.
• Which brings us to a first aid kit.  Gauze, band aids, surgical tape, bee sting kit, aspirin, some type of antiseptic/antibiotic gel/cream or maybe iodine to sterilize any cuts/wounds.
• Medications.  This is an area most people overlook.  If you need certain medications on a daily basis, then you might want to have a week supply in your kit at the very least, and try to rotate it out on a regular basis.  In hot climates, you’d want to swap it out probably on a weekly basis, where if you’re in a cold climate, you might be able to get away with changing it out every 6 months.  Again, try to use common sense and/or ask a pharmacist how temperature sensitive your medications are.
• Some type of stimulant, like caffeine tablets or something similar.  It an emergency situation, having something to give you that extra burst of energy to help you get an emergency shelter built for example, could mean the difference between life and death.
• 15ft x 15 ft sheet of plastic.  Can be use to patch a broken window. Can also be used to collect dew or set up a solar still to collect drinkable water.
• Firemaking stuff. Preferably a bic lighter, one container of farmer matches(strike anywhere type), and maybe a flint and steel.  That way, you have backup methods to start a fire if needed.
• And finally, the old standby.... Duct tape.  What can’t it do?  Good to attach that aforementioned piece of plastic to fix the broken window.
• Anything else you think might be important or needed

Bug out bag:
Same stuff as in mini bug out bag, but also includes:

• .Portable shelter.  Whether this is a pup tent, a dome tent, a surplus military tent, or real heavy duty plastic that you can string up as a bivouac shelter between 2 trees is really up to you.  If you go with the tent idea, it’s recommend to have a shelter at least large enough for how many people will be sleeping in it plus one so you have a space to put your gear to keep it protected from the environment.  There’s nothing more depressing than sleeping in a tent and waking up in the morning to find that your pack is either waterlogged because it rained, or ransacked by some critter and now you’re either missing supplies, or worse, your pack is so damaged you can’t carry stuff in it anymore.  If it’s in your tent/shelter, you can protect it from both situations.  If you have garbage bags, you might be able to get away with enclosing your bags in garbage bags to protect from rain, and you can use your parachute cord or rope to string it up a tree to protect from animals.  In some ways, this might be safer since if you have determined animals, they might try to invade your shelter with you in there and that probably won’t be fun, but if it’s up a tree, then the critter is less likely to come in to visit.
• Garbage bags.  Multi purpose items.  Can obviously be used for it’s intended purpose, but it can be used for so much more.  They can be uses for emergency ponchos/rainsuits, method to collect water (not recommended unless you have no choice since they may contain chemicals that help reduce orders and deter animals from digging into them), emergency waterproofing for your makeshift shelter if you don’t have your portable shelter or if you needed to make something more substantial, and so many other uses that are limited only by your imagination.  Heck, in a pinch, you can use it to help start a fire, as those of you who have ever burned plastic can attest to.
• A mini cooking kit, like you used as a boy scout. that has the pot, frying pan, drinking cup (preferably metal, more durable and can be used for cooking also), etc.  Also included here would be eating utensils, although in a pinch these are easily improvised, but having them might help psychologically since it’s familiar.
• If you didn’t include it in the mini kit, a good, sturdy sheath knife, preferably with a 4”-8” blade.  Much bigger and you have a machete and would be difficult to use for dressing animals, especially smaller ones (although if you have the multi tool or pocket knife, it’s a moot point), while a smaller bladed one would be difficult to use to trim branches and scrub for making shelters and bedding, among other camp chores.
• Some form of flashlight.  Keep a piece of paper between each battery in the flashlight.  This way, you are less likely to find a flashlight with dead batteries when you need it.  If you have the extra cash to spend, it’s highly suggested to get a higher end led flash light.  Led flashlights use much less battery power as a standard one, which means light for a longer period of time, usually quite a bit more durable than a regular flashlight (as long as you get a good name brand led flashlight. I’ve gotten cheap ones that break within weeks, so I wouldn’t depend on them in a survival situation), and some have the ability to vary how much light they give off, which is good if you’re trying to conserve battery power.  They’re also usually weigh a bit less than a standard flashlight. The downside to them are that they’re usually quite a bit more costly (good ones start at about $30 and up usually) and they usually don’t throw light as far as a normal flashlight.  All things considered, I’d much rather spend the money to have light longer, than be cheap and have it for a shorter period of time.
• Maybe some type of hatchet.  Makes camp chores oh so much easier.  Ever try and chop wood with a knife?  Not fun.
• Rope. Multiple uses, from improvising shelter, to emergency rescue, to hanging meat.  Again, let your imagination be your guide.
• Dehydrated or pre-made meals.  Something more substantial than the candies in the mini kit. MRE’s are the usual suspect, but if water is plentiful (at least after boiling) then dehydrated meals ( or even stuff like dried pinto beans, a good meat substitute), are a good choice.  Stable shelf life and the packaging might be useful as tinder, water container, or possibly as a fishing lure if it’s shiny.
• Sewing/fishing kit.  Some fishing line wrapped on a piece of cardboard (like spyder line, which is some pretty tough stuff and can also double as snare line), an assortment of hooks, some regular and pinch on sinkers, and maybe something shiny (possibly metal buttons) to attach to the line to better attract fish.  The fishing line can also double for sewing thread in a pinch. The needles can also work good to help get splinters out.  Might even be able to use in an improvised blowgun, but that would be a last resort since it’s easier to whittle wooden darts that are replaceable than to use a metal needle that could be lost forever.  Might be able to tie a needle at the center (after threading the eye with the end to keep from losing it), placing bait on it, and having a fish or bird swallow it, then yanking on it to wedge it sideways.  Not the most sporting or humane way to catch food, but we are talking about extreme, eat or starve, situations.
• Several water containers, like canteens that can be attached to a belt or pack, along with water purification tablets.  Preferably two quarts per person at the least.  Might also throw in a canteen cup, which can also be used to cook in.
• Sleeping bag or blankets.
• More changes of clothes and extra socks.
• Moleskin added to the first aid kit for blisters.
• One of the survival books listed in the resource section carried in a zip lock bag.

  That’s it for the easily person portable kits, if I think of anything to add, I’ll put on the list.

  If you plan to bug out with a vehicle, then you might want to add the following gear:

• Possibly a portable cooking stove.  I’m not talking about something that you put white gas or propane or whatever in it, I’m talking about a portable wood burning stove.  This is much easier than cooking over a fire pit, and it can keep going more easily if it rains.  Might provide a psychological boost too.
• Heavier duty cookware, like cast iron.  Very durable and cooks great.
• More and larger containers to carry water in, along with a mechanical water purifier.
• Possibly a bottle of bleach, for disinfecting and water purification.
• More clothing. Maybe an extra set of footwear.
• As much food as you can stuff in there, and if dehydrated, as much water as you can carry, which would cover the suggestion of water containers.
• Possibly several books to help keep your spirits up, along with possibly books on dressing animals, edible plant guide, and possibly a second survival book.  A book dedicated to setting traps for animals would be a good idea also.  You can also expand your fishing kit significantly too.

  What else you throw in this category obviously depends on how much space you have available in the vehicle after taking into account how many people you’re going to wedge in there.

  This obviously doesn’t include guns and ammo, bows and arrows, etc.  Those items go in where ever you can fit them.  If you can carry a handgun in your vehicle, then might be a good idea to do so.  They make great bows that you can break down to a pretty small package, but not sure how well they’d take being left in a vehicle in the heat or cold, so might want to investigate that.

  Hopefully this gets you to thinking about how much prep work is really involved in getting prepared for heading for the hills if there’s ever a natural or man made disaster, and hopefully you can start preparing for it now, rather than later.