Build an Emergency Bag Without Breaking the Bank

Learn how to build an emergency bag for under $250 using reliable, budget-friendly gear. This practical guide covers essentials like water filtration, first aid, shelter, tools, and self-defense, without breaking the bank.

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Many people believe that building a quality emergency bag requires spending $ 500 or more before you even pack any food and water. The truth? You can build a reliable, ready-to-go kit for significantly less than that.

This article will guide you through building a bag designed to address many of the issues you may encounter during an emergency. Is it a comprehensive bag? Nope. There are things you really should own that are not included, like a compass and emergency food. This guide is designed to give you the confidence to get started. Some of the gear would be at a home in a premium-level kit. Other items are good starting points until you are ready to upgrade.

The bag of choice for this budget-build is the REEBOW GEAR Military Tactical Backpack Large Army 3 Day Assault Pack.

This pack is rugged enough to carry a full 72-hour loadout. Multiple compartments keep your kit organized, and the design makes it surprisingly comfortable for the price. Will you want to upgrade later? Perhaps, but this bag offers a solid foundation for the budget-conscious.

I will provide two options here. It is always a good idea to have multiple water treatment/filtration options.

First Is the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter. The LifeStraw is a simple, compact filter from one of the most trusted names in emergency water filters. I have multiple of these filters in my bag.

Second is the Sawyer Mini Water Filtration System. The Sawyer Mini Filtration System can attach to a water bottle or squeeze pouch and filter up to 100,000 gallons.

For a first aid kit a good choice is the EVERLIT Emergency Trauma Kit. Many bad results in an emergency can be prevented with access to a quality emergency kit. Items such as a tourniquet and a pressure bandage are essential supplies. This kit isn’t a band-aid pouch from your local big box store. This kit includes the tools you want in a real emergency. There is a CAT tourniquet, pressure bandage, emergency blanket, glove, and more.

Flint has been used to start fires for thousands of years. A ferro rod is an essential part of your emergency bag. I keep a ferro rod and striker in my emergency bag, and you should too. This bayite option is an excellent choice for lighting a fire. You can increase its effectiveness by pairing it with Tinder-Quik Fire Tab. Another option for tinder is the lint from your dryer. It works well, although it isn’t as convenient an option.

Paracord and Mylar blankets are highly effective for creating shelter and maintaining your warmth. You can use Mylar blankets as ground cover, a tarp, or as emergency blankets. The paracord can be used for repairing your gear, wrapping handles, building a shelter, and many other uses. It’s not a bad idea to cut several 15-foot lengths of paracord and have them ready to go, in addition to the larger spool.

My primary survival and hunting knife is the Morakniv Companion. It is a fixed-blade knife that is incredibly sharp and holds its edge well. It is carbon steel, so you need to ensure it remains clean and dry to prevent rusting. I have used my Morakniv to gut and skin every deer I have killed, and I own multiple Moraknivs.

Glow sticks make excellent sources of light. They are relatively cheap and last for hours. As a bonus, they are a great way to entertain your kids that doesn’t require electricity and is safe for your kids to use.

The second light source I recommend here is a hand-crank/solar-powered LED flashlight. My boys like to use our Simpeak hand-crank flashlights when they take care of our chickens, and you never have to worry about being out of battery since you can do a few cranks to get enough juice for a short use. Additionally, you can leave them out in the sun during the day to fully charge them.

Several items are helpful to have in your bag that you probably already have at home, but it is a good idea to have some extras in your emergency bag.

First is duct tape. You can use your duct tape to fix gear, seal wounds, make splints, and hold your life together in an emergency.

Second are resealable storage bags. These bags can be used to keep food/gear/meds, as well as anything else you need, dry and ready to use.

The third essential item for your emergency bag is zip ties. Like duct tape, these are a must-have item. They can be used to secure gear, build shelters, and, in a pinch, act as restraints.

The final utility item is playing cards. Your mental health matters, and some of my best memories are from playing cards with friends and family. There are lots of games you can play with a deck of cards, and, if you aren’t a big card player, you will be surprised how much time you can use up with a simple deck.

Having a means of protecting yourself and your loved ones is another often overlooked aspect of emergency preparedness. There are plenty of situations where you want to be able to defend yourself without resorting to lethal means. A quality pepper spray is a good choice for these situations. I have SABRE pepper gel. It is effective, and the gel aspect will adhere to your target more effectively with a lower chance of blowback.

Every emergency bag/setup should include a firearm. It is better to have one and not need it than to need it and not have it. Since we are focusing on budget-friendly options in this article, a police trade-in Glock 17 is a great choice. They can be found for under $350 very easily, and I have frequently found them for $300 or less. My first Glock 17 was a police trade-in. The Glock 17 is a full-size pistol that is easy to operate, and ammunition and spare parts are readily available.

Get a couple of spare magazines and a paddle-style holster, I own this Safariland 7378TS, or in the waistband holster, depending on your potential use cases.

The final price for the gear on this list is approximately $250. Depending on current prices, it will be under $250. This budget kit covers major survival priorities, including water, shelter, first aid, fire, light, defense, and utility items.

Some gear in this bag I wouldn’t replace for an emergency bag in any price range. Examples include the Glock 17, the Morakniv, and the ferro rod.

Start with what you can afford and upgrade when you can. Just don’t wait to start until it’s too late.

Need help building your kit or want to upgrade the gear you already have? Feel free to head over to my social media profiles and send me a message.

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