The internet is inundated with information for being a survivalist, for bugging out and for S.H.T.F scenarios. But look closer, it's almost -all- directed for men. What little you find of women is 'fantasy' looks of useless clothing, overload of weaponry, and cosmetics that simply aren't going to be available.
So, lets go over something practical ladies!
For the purposes of this writing, and the attached picture, I'm focusing on a bug out bag and setup. The kind of setup where you can't settle in for long and need to keep going. Keep in mind I am also an Alberta girl, it's gets cold. What I will list is directed for anything from summer to late fall. This can be possible with good bunking down over the winter, shelter and good fires; which isn't as much of an issue when in Canada everyone needs to bunker down for winter anyways.
Let's go top to bottom on the body, then go into the bag itself.
Adequate headgear - For me this is my all time favorite hunting cap, this hat is insulated, has a brim like a ball cap to keep out the sun and has a fold up/down flap that can hide, or come down to cover and warm my ears. It's good for year round pretty much. The only difference I have is the hood on my jacket, and my toque with a face mask attachment. The toque is fairly compact, and fits well in my pack.
Hair - If you have short hair, you might want to grow it a bit, that in the middle length is a nuisance in the face so being able to pull it back, or have it super short, is going to be your best options. If it's to long you should braid it, keeping it from in the way and keeping it from getting any unnecessary tangles. In your pack for your hair you'll need a comb, not a brush. Combs can be cleaned better from bugs etc and take up less space and add less weight. When you're on the move for extended amounts of time the weight is going to be a huge factor. Every little bit counts. Keep a good stock of elastics when you start, we all know how we loose them. Guard them with your life, because resorting to other ties like string, opes, leather, can all be a pain.
Proper attire - To start lets go to color and/or print. When one is bugging out, especially a woman, there's various reasons to be unseen. Hunting, being hunted (Especially by the human variety) etc. So it is wisest to chose camo prints or dark clothing. You then to be sure that it is covering you! Whether it's summer and the sun is shining, you don't have sunscreen or aloe-vera so prevent the sunburn all together. Have a thin long sleeve shirt. Long loose pants, so they can be cool in the summer while functional and warm in the winter still with layering. These pants are better still if they are waterproof (Most hunting pants are) and hit the peak with ample pockets. Don't think 'fashion' think practical! Wear pants that actually go to your waist, it won't rub, or be to tight on the trek, and you'll have better range of motion. For cooler seasons ensure you have quality long underwear, a sweater, and flannel pants in your pack. All these clothes can be layered together for a warm and comfy getup while going down to summer temperatures without packing huge amounts of weight from clothing. Add four pairs of socks, from light to woollies, so they can be cleaned or get wet. Wear the lightest socks you can warmly get away with, you don't want to sweat out your feet when you're on a long trek. They can be layered if need be as well. Now ladies, we all know we have those comfy' panties and the 'sexy' ones. Sometimes they over lap but be honest, not always. So ditch the idea of pretty panties and wear what is comfortable, what is movable and practical. Nobody wants chafing or wedgies. For the sake of packing light you should only have three or four pairs on hand. And with all our bust sizes different think about your bra, most bras are not good for being on the move like that, they lack perfect support, comfort etc. Most women I know of varying sizes will say (And I personally say) a sports bra is your best bet! Not only will it give a better support and circulation they are smaller and pack better so you can have one on and one in your pack. Depending on the season gloves are going to be part of your attire, otherwise they are in your pack. You should have three pairs, one set of work gloves for that harder manual labor, one pair of thin warm gloves and one pair of quality heavy duty winter gloves. You may also want to carry an extra neck-guard in your bag, but if you have a good toque/mask like I do I don't have to pack the extra weight. Finishing the attire section is one of the most important pieces, your jacket. You need a jacket heavy enough for the absolute worst nights. In my case, a parka. Extra points if it has the removable liners so that you can use a liner in the summer and during season changes, while still using the whole jacket for year round so you don't try to carry two coats. It should be a longer jacket, not a waist one. You need to keep that butt warm when you're sitting and keep air from getting in and giving you a chill up your back.
Shoes - All the men are saying 'that's attire!' but women, we know shoes are special. Shoes are a category all their own. And they are very, very important for this. They need to be comfortable, well fitting and adjustable. You should be able to fit them properly with thin socks on, and still with warm layers on. So proper lacing hiking boot style is a must. They need to be durable, waterproof, and offer good ankle support and grip. This is going to be among the most expensive pieces of equipment as good quality can range you a few hundred dollars, but they will be worth every penny.
Accessories - Belt. Belt. Belt. Have a belt on! Not only will it keep your pants where they belong, it gives you an awesome place to put things. My hunting knife and a rangefinder/monocular are on mine. You will want one very good knife, be it for buttering dinner or self defense. You'll want a couple other knives on hand as well, but keep one solid on your hip in a sheath. Another good spot for a knife is in a pocket at your knee, jacket, or sheathed if you have tall boots. A rangefinder is important when it comes to getting dinner, but remember it won't last forever, it will die eventually. So use it to really -learn- to judge those distances. Binoculars will always be important (Or in my case monocular, binos give me headaches) to see a coming enemy, find dinner etc so invest in quality ones.
-I also have strung from my belt onto my thigh my glock holster. A handgun is going to be incredibly valuable in self defense, it's small as a firearm, quick and accessible. Face it ladies, in a SHTF scenario we are going to need all the help we can get so be armed! Keep your handgun loaded, but practice safe gun handling and please don't chamber a round until you must! Always keep a spare, loaded, mag on hand. More ammo is important in your pack, stock up. This is one department when weight is worth adding, it could save your life. Two boxes additionally to being loaded mags aught to cover you to start. My sheath offers a spot to hold my second mag right on it, so it's at the ready.
-Now, everyone has seen those para cord bracelets. They really do have a purpose but for your sake do not buy one with a plastic useless clasp! It will break. It will be useless. For another buck or two you can get a metal clasp or, even better, a metal U closure. The metal clasp is stronger, the U closure is more useful. Learn how to tie those bracelets, so that you can put it back together after the rope is done being used to save space in your pack. There are safety reasons to keeping no jewelry on, if you're worried about the bracelet then clip it to a strap on your pack instead of your wrist. Always have two, you never know when one might get ruined.
-I also have strung from my belt onto my thigh my glock holster. A handgun is going to be incredibly valuable in self defense, it's small as a firearm, quick and accessible. Face it ladies, in a SHTF scenario we are going to need all the help we can get so be armed! Keep your handgun loaded, but practice safe gun handling and please don't chamber a round until you must! Always keep a spare, loaded, mag on hand. More ammo is important in your pack, stock up. This is one department when weight is worth adding, it could save your life. Two boxes additionally to being loaded mags aught to cover you to start. My sheath offers a spot to hold my second mag right on it, so it's at the ready.
-Now, everyone has seen those para cord bracelets. They really do have a purpose but for your sake do not buy one with a plastic useless clasp! It will break. It will be useless. For another buck or two you can get a metal clasp or, even better, a metal U closure. The metal clasp is stronger, the U closure is more useful. Learn how to tie those bracelets, so that you can put it back together after the rope is done being used to save space in your pack. There are safety reasons to keeping no jewelry on, if you're worried about the bracelet then clip it to a strap on your pack instead of your wrist. Always have two, you never know when one might get ruined.
Pack and Pockets additional - What I list here isn't just pack, you can distribute it in your pockets etc as you find the most comfortable. And distributing is going to be very important. Some things you want closer at hand then having to dig. Sometimes its a matter of where the weight is easiest for you. Weight is something you'll hear from me a lot. Starting with your pack itself. Ladies, there is everything from massive bags to little bags on the market. Pick a pack that can house everything it needs to while still being very durable and as lightweight as possible on it's own. Find a pack with a good harness system, solid comfortable straps, added hip straps to help carry the weight and most good packs have solid frames for weight distribution. You also want to look for something that can be organized as good as possible and water resistant. Pack as light as possible, even lighter than you know you can handle because you want to be able to add weight if you find ammo, or are carrying a lot of food.
-So what should be in your core survival pack? Get rid of that store bought 'emergency' kit. We're talking survival, not waiting to be found. No foil blankets, no useless finger saws etc. And realistically, I've heard men say those finger saws are useless, I've never met a woman who can use one in any reasonable amount of time without her hands bleeding. So, then what's important? Starting with the largest item, your sleeping gear! You need a sleeping bag that is lightweight, compact, but warm. That combination gets expensive, but worth it. Bonus points for comfort if you throw in a tiny camp pillow. But that alone is not enough for weather, etc. I for one stand by my cowboy bedroll. Some people use tiny pup tents. My bedroll is more comfortable as most pup tents are to small for me even to lay out in, never mind men. And it's big enough to... well... enjoy oneself if you had company. Although I wouldn't suggest trying to sleep two people in it. What these are is basically a cover for your sleeping bag in waterproof canvas, with a large flap that goes over the top as well, fully enclosing you and your sleeping bag from the bugs and elements. The canvas also helps to keep in the warmth. With the sleeping bag inside it and all rolled up it doesn't take a lot of space, and you can strap it to a pack really easily.
-You need to have what's already been mentioned in clothing, hair pieces, ammo, etc. Additionally I am guilty of having a small comfort thing, we may not have makeup, but we don't have to look completely unfeminine, the small weight added by a small 'unbreakable' mirror and a set of tweezers is negligible and it lets me keeps my brows in check! Also, every woman should know what a mens straight razor is, and how to use one. Tada! No Sasquatch legs. That's when you have time, opportunity and warmth enough to bathe mind you. Ignore your armpits, there's nothing you can safely do and it's not worth the pain there. It's just not. Feminine wise also you should carry a reusable method of dealing with the monthly rag. Be it cloth pads, sea sponge, or something like a diva cup (The diva cup takes getting used to, but for simplicity, compact, cleanliness etc I would suggest one. Don't let it intimidate you.). You should also have something like a Pstyle, a female urinary device. They allow you to pee standing up. They're magical when it's freezing outside and you don't want to drop your drawers and freese your tush off. I suggest the pstyle over other styles because it's much easier cleaning and thus more sanitary.
- Have an adequate first aid kit. Now I have to sadly say adequate pretty loosely... in my camper's bug out kit I have everything from emergency childbirth kits, blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes, extensive suture kits etc. But then, I was a medic. But that's to much gear and and to heavy for a bug out bag. I could over flow my pack with that stuff. You want a tensor bandage, a thing of spray on band-aid, polysporin, tweezers (Oh look an excuse to have some with your mini mirror!), triangular bandage, gauze and tape. No use bringing anything else, pack light remember? Normal band-aids leave a trail of garbage to deal with, and take up more room then spray on. This stuff will get you through most issues, and realistically even if you packed drugs they'd run out eventually. You're better off just getting them if and when you need them, if you even can. So to be prepped, learn the natural solutions!
- You will need a sewing kit. A minor one from any store will work as they have everything you need but since you may not get those things again I do suggest you put in a little more money for a larger or better quality kit. No more then ten dollars is necessary though!
- Compass, please don't cheap out. Get a good military one and know how to use it! This also goes for maps, get some good ones so you can find your way to water etc easier and stay away from places you want to avoid.
-Speaking of water! There is all sorts of little water purifiers out there, look for one that is small, compact, no power, and reusable fully. That means the filter should be cleanable. Know to boil water when you can. Have a camelpac in your bag, it allows you to drink without stopping for your water bottle, it keeps a larger amount of water and bags prepped for them will hold the weight nicely. I would also suggest getting at least one, if not two or three, life straws. They're small and work great. It's basically a straw with a water filter, most good for about a thousand uses. When you're not ready to stop and fill your camel pack with water with the main filter you can stop and drink with one of those to save camelpac water on the move.
-Think reusable, and long lasting. Don't reach for the matches which will run out, reach for the large flints! Once again, you should have two. Little things get lost, and things like this can be used as bargaining chips. Have a whistle if you need one, but not plastic. Spend the buck on a metal one that won't break. A flashlight is important, but batteries in a survival instance are useless, they run out, and they add weight. Invest in a good (Fifty to one hundred dollars) hand crank flashlight. They can last a lifetime and it's easy power. Many of those good ones can be a flash light or a lantern which is awesome. You have those rope bracelets if you need then, but do have one set of rope at the ready in your bag. Another knife or two in there isn't going to hurt either, but if you have them properly placed on you then carrying more just adds weight.
-Fishing gear. Sure, basic fishing packs can work, little bundles with some hooks, jigs, lines, sinkers, clippers etc. Add a solid pair of pliers at bare minimum. But even better? And kind of a luxury thing... telescoping fishing poles. That's right. A full fishing pole in my back pack. The thing is about a foot tall. Hell of a lot nicer then fishing with a stick.
-Dishes are next, ensure you have a set that folds compact, and is metal. That allows you to cook at the fire with them. All camp supply stores offer some sets that are metal and fold in on each other with the movable handles holding it all together. My set has a bowl, plate(ish) and mug that all compact to smaller than 5" around and 2" tall. It's really lightweight too. Throw in a metal spork if you don't want to eat off your knife. See if you can't find a small fold up metal grill, it'll make it easier then cooking on the rocks and help to preserving meat.
-Hatchet, you need one ladies. A solid one. And keep it sharp, it's important to have at least a small sharpener for your knives and hatches etc. With that also you should have a good saw (Gerber is my vote). Think about it, we may not be as good at dealing with wood but we probably will still have to, and having a good bone and wood saw, interchangeable blades, is important for those hunting. We simply aren't tough enough to haul most game for long times. So having a bone saw allows us to better butcher and divide our prey so we can bring more with us and handle it easier. Think smarter, not harder. It's so important for us to have good tools so they do the work, and not us. This is also a reason to pack so light, allowing us to carry more meat from our game etc.
- Keep as much food as you can, dried is best since you can't keep things cool and cans get heavy. Beware not to have it to salted (store-bought, after awhile you won't have salt) if water is harder to find as it will add to dehydration. Learn how to dry food over the campfire so you can keep more of it. Learn what around you is edible in plant life during the right seasons.
-Wondering how I'm getting the game yet? A rifle is heavy in long durations, and it requires ammo that runs out. Ladies that may be fine for men who can handle the weight but I say boo on them. Get a good bow setup. Know how to use it. Arrows can be retrieved if they don't hit bone (and depending on the head) and are lighter then bullets. Strap a tube of a dozen to the side of your pack and add straps to carry your bow on your pack. It keeps your hands free, the weight proper and it's lighter. A bow is quieter, which is great when you're avoiding being noticed. The best for hunting in a survival situation. But because it does nothing in a self defense situation is exactly why you need the handgun.
-If you are okay with a little more weight there are then the minor luxury items. Many people carry a deck of cards which is great for passing time during rest stations. I also add a small copy of the New Testament. Pocket size so it's not much for weight then.
-So what should be in your core survival pack? Get rid of that store bought 'emergency' kit. We're talking survival, not waiting to be found. No foil blankets, no useless finger saws etc. And realistically, I've heard men say those finger saws are useless, I've never met a woman who can use one in any reasonable amount of time without her hands bleeding. So, then what's important? Starting with the largest item, your sleeping gear! You need a sleeping bag that is lightweight, compact, but warm. That combination gets expensive, but worth it. Bonus points for comfort if you throw in a tiny camp pillow. But that alone is not enough for weather, etc. I for one stand by my cowboy bedroll. Some people use tiny pup tents. My bedroll is more comfortable as most pup tents are to small for me even to lay out in, never mind men. And it's big enough to... well... enjoy oneself if you had company. Although I wouldn't suggest trying to sleep two people in it. What these are is basically a cover for your sleeping bag in waterproof canvas, with a large flap that goes over the top as well, fully enclosing you and your sleeping bag from the bugs and elements. The canvas also helps to keep in the warmth. With the sleeping bag inside it and all rolled up it doesn't take a lot of space, and you can strap it to a pack really easily.
-You need to have what's already been mentioned in clothing, hair pieces, ammo, etc. Additionally I am guilty of having a small comfort thing, we may not have makeup, but we don't have to look completely unfeminine, the small weight added by a small 'unbreakable' mirror and a set of tweezers is negligible and it lets me keeps my brows in check! Also, every woman should know what a mens straight razor is, and how to use one. Tada! No Sasquatch legs. That's when you have time, opportunity and warmth enough to bathe mind you. Ignore your armpits, there's nothing you can safely do and it's not worth the pain there. It's just not. Feminine wise also you should carry a reusable method of dealing with the monthly rag. Be it cloth pads, sea sponge, or something like a diva cup (The diva cup takes getting used to, but for simplicity, compact, cleanliness etc I would suggest one. Don't let it intimidate you.). You should also have something like a Pstyle, a female urinary device. They allow you to pee standing up. They're magical when it's freezing outside and you don't want to drop your drawers and freese your tush off. I suggest the pstyle over other styles because it's much easier cleaning and thus more sanitary.
- Have an adequate first aid kit. Now I have to sadly say adequate pretty loosely... in my camper's bug out kit I have everything from emergency childbirth kits, blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes, extensive suture kits etc. But then, I was a medic. But that's to much gear and and to heavy for a bug out bag. I could over flow my pack with that stuff. You want a tensor bandage, a thing of spray on band-aid, polysporin, tweezers (Oh look an excuse to have some with your mini mirror!), triangular bandage, gauze and tape. No use bringing anything else, pack light remember? Normal band-aids leave a trail of garbage to deal with, and take up more room then spray on. This stuff will get you through most issues, and realistically even if you packed drugs they'd run out eventually. You're better off just getting them if and when you need them, if you even can. So to be prepped, learn the natural solutions!
- You will need a sewing kit. A minor one from any store will work as they have everything you need but since you may not get those things again I do suggest you put in a little more money for a larger or better quality kit. No more then ten dollars is necessary though!
- Compass, please don't cheap out. Get a good military one and know how to use it! This also goes for maps, get some good ones so you can find your way to water etc easier and stay away from places you want to avoid.
-Speaking of water! There is all sorts of little water purifiers out there, look for one that is small, compact, no power, and reusable fully. That means the filter should be cleanable. Know to boil water when you can. Have a camelpac in your bag, it allows you to drink without stopping for your water bottle, it keeps a larger amount of water and bags prepped for them will hold the weight nicely. I would also suggest getting at least one, if not two or three, life straws. They're small and work great. It's basically a straw with a water filter, most good for about a thousand uses. When you're not ready to stop and fill your camel pack with water with the main filter you can stop and drink with one of those to save camelpac water on the move.
-Think reusable, and long lasting. Don't reach for the matches which will run out, reach for the large flints! Once again, you should have two. Little things get lost, and things like this can be used as bargaining chips. Have a whistle if you need one, but not plastic. Spend the buck on a metal one that won't break. A flashlight is important, but batteries in a survival instance are useless, they run out, and they add weight. Invest in a good (Fifty to one hundred dollars) hand crank flashlight. They can last a lifetime and it's easy power. Many of those good ones can be a flash light or a lantern which is awesome. You have those rope bracelets if you need then, but do have one set of rope at the ready in your bag. Another knife or two in there isn't going to hurt either, but if you have them properly placed on you then carrying more just adds weight.
-Fishing gear. Sure, basic fishing packs can work, little bundles with some hooks, jigs, lines, sinkers, clippers etc. Add a solid pair of pliers at bare minimum. But even better? And kind of a luxury thing... telescoping fishing poles. That's right. A full fishing pole in my back pack. The thing is about a foot tall. Hell of a lot nicer then fishing with a stick.
-Dishes are next, ensure you have a set that folds compact, and is metal. That allows you to cook at the fire with them. All camp supply stores offer some sets that are metal and fold in on each other with the movable handles holding it all together. My set has a bowl, plate(ish) and mug that all compact to smaller than 5" around and 2" tall. It's really lightweight too. Throw in a metal spork if you don't want to eat off your knife. See if you can't find a small fold up metal grill, it'll make it easier then cooking on the rocks and help to preserving meat.
-Hatchet, you need one ladies. A solid one. And keep it sharp, it's important to have at least a small sharpener for your knives and hatches etc. With that also you should have a good saw (Gerber is my vote). Think about it, we may not be as good at dealing with wood but we probably will still have to, and having a good bone and wood saw, interchangeable blades, is important for those hunting. We simply aren't tough enough to haul most game for long times. So having a bone saw allows us to better butcher and divide our prey so we can bring more with us and handle it easier. Think smarter, not harder. It's so important for us to have good tools so they do the work, and not us. This is also a reason to pack so light, allowing us to carry more meat from our game etc.
- Keep as much food as you can, dried is best since you can't keep things cool and cans get heavy. Beware not to have it to salted (store-bought, after awhile you won't have salt) if water is harder to find as it will add to dehydration. Learn how to dry food over the campfire so you can keep more of it. Learn what around you is edible in plant life during the right seasons.
-Wondering how I'm getting the game yet? A rifle is heavy in long durations, and it requires ammo that runs out. Ladies that may be fine for men who can handle the weight but I say boo on them. Get a good bow setup. Know how to use it. Arrows can be retrieved if they don't hit bone (and depending on the head) and are lighter then bullets. Strap a tube of a dozen to the side of your pack and add straps to carry your bow on your pack. It keeps your hands free, the weight proper and it's lighter. A bow is quieter, which is great when you're avoiding being noticed. The best for hunting in a survival situation. But because it does nothing in a self defense situation is exactly why you need the handgun.
-If you are okay with a little more weight there are then the minor luxury items. Many people carry a deck of cards which is great for passing time during rest stations. I also add a small copy of the New Testament. Pocket size so it's not much for weight then.
Now I'm trying to remember if I've forgotten anything that goes in a pack, I'll probably keep updating this. If you have the chance to hunker down then there's a bunk I'd suggest stocking up on as well. Like if I had a camp, a full med kit, more food, rifles and more ammo, reloading equipment, more clothes, more water, bargaining items. It would be the canvas hunting tent with the wood stove, allowing more shelter and warmth and the ability to cook. Then one could have the cast iron etc. So much can be done with a bug out camp, but when a woman must be on the move, the listed above is vital. If you have the benefit of horses you can bring even more, be it by a pack horse or still having a backpack on while the horse has saddlebags. Just remember the horse needs a small med kit of its own. If you have the use of a pack-horse you could probably bring a whole camp in transport (With the right equipment), but it would slow you down more then just one horse.
I pray you never -have- to use such information, good luck if you do. Some people do this for fun. It's actually been a long time since I did a 'survival' weekend (Back my days with the Canadian Forces under the Cadet Instructor Cadre) but eventually I will again.
