An evacuation (escape) kit is also known by the English acronym BOB. Its basic idea is to be able to take it with you at any time, along with all the most important items to protect your life for a minimum of three days (72 hours). However, completing such a kit yourself may not be easy.
Where to start
When choosing the ideal evacuation kit, there are several aspects to consider.
The first and most important point will be weight. If the kit is too heavy, it will limit our mobility.
Equal in importance to the first point, when choosing an evacuation kit you should pay attention to the material it is made of. Weak, thin material used in production may not withstand the conditions and may tear under the weight of the gear. A good choice is a thick fabric resistant to abrasion and tearing.
Equipment
Of course, the best option is to purchase a complete evacuation set with full equipment. This ensures you won't overlook anything, and every item will be exactly where it belongs.
Water is essential for survival, but unfortunately it is quite heavy and takes up a lot of space, so the contents of an evacuation kit should include water purification tablets. They kill bacteria whose consumption leads to poisoning of the body. Help Bag™ evacuation kits also include a steel mug with a lid, and the MAX PRO kit also has a water-filtering straw and a collapsible water container.
The ability to light a fire will also ensure our survival. A lighter, matches and a flint must not be missing. Light is another thing we need to take care of to ensure our safety, so it would be best to have several independent light sources such as a head torch, a classic torch and a dynamo torch. An additional source of energy in the form of a power bank is at a premium.
Let's take responsibility for our own lives and the lives of those we encounter, so let's make sure we have the necessary equipment such as a first aid kit. A portable hygiene kit will help us stay comfortable during increased exertion in difficult and adverse conditions.
The atmospheric conditions we are in can also pose a risk to our health. An evacuation kit should include a thermal blanket, hand and foot warmers and, most importantly, a rain cape. A simple tool kit, for example, will help to prepare a makeshift shelter. Essential items that should be included in an evacuation kit are a knife, a strong rope, a folding handsaw and repair tape.
The evacuation kit should include a sleeping bag to protect us from the cold, as well as an inflatable pillow to increase our comfort. The kit should be protected from getting wet. A rain cover is therefore useful.
In case of smoke, protective goggles and a filter mask that covers the nose and mouth will come in handy. It stops particles but does not protect against gases from smoke, for example carbon monoxide.
The ready-made evacuation kit Help Bag™ MAX PRO includes, among other things:
- first aid kit
- Mask for artificial respiration
- thermal blanket
- multifunction tool
- hand-crank radio
- sleeping bag
- power bank
- hygiene kit
- leather and work gloves
- water disinfection tablets
- headlamp
- hand and foot warmers
- repair tape
- plasma lighter
- rescue hammer with an alarm light
- zip ties
- Reflective harness
- Stainless steel knife
- safety goggles
- half mask respirator
- handsaw
- quick-dry towel
- steel cup
- raincoat
We designed, assemble and ship the Help Bag™ kits from Poland. The MAX PRO kit includes the equipment from the list above. These items come in handy not only in extreme situations but also in everyday life, for example during a power outage. Source: Help Bag™, zEvacuation kits
Looking for a complete, up-to-date list in line with government guidelines for 2026, plus a comparison of variants and prices? Check out our current guide: 72h evacuation kit: RCB list, variants and prices (2026).